Taking Advice from the Beloved Disciple – 1John 2:25-29 – Lite (12 min)

How many religious organizations exist? How many Christian denominations exist? Is there only one denomination that has saving faith? Those who are deceived do not know they are. Hmmm. Let’s change the questions. What is the basis of my beliefs and how can I be assured that I am not deceived? How do I know I have eternal life?

’45 – Second’ Review of the Last Two Segments (Click to Expand)

The evidence of knowing Christ in 1 John 2:1-11 is:

Foundational

• Evidence #1 – recognition of our sins along with confession to Christ who is our Advocate;
• Evidence #2 – obedience to Christ’s teachings; and,
• Evidence #3 – God’s love operates in us.

The evidence of eternal life listed in 1 John 2:12-24 is ongoing:

Increasing

• Evidence #4 – progressing in maturity in knowing the Persons of the Godhead
• Evidence #5 – rejecting the love of this world;
• Evidence #6 – discerning deceivers/deception; and,
• Evidence #7 – overcoming temptation by knowing the truth.

Let’s look at the big picture idea and concepts within verses 25-29.

Segment at a Glance

From the epistle’s keywords, we see the emphasis in the segment we are reviewing is about “abiding”. These metrics were counted using NASB95 (there are minor count variations in other English translations).

Context (Chapter/Segment)	Sin(s)	Know(s/n)	Love(s)	Abide(s)
This Segment: 1 John 2:25-29	0	2	0	3
Entire Chapter: 1 John 2	4	14	5	9
All Chapters	26	40	46	22

Please read 1 John 2:25-29. From this segment, we observe that we have been given:

1. a promise from Him of eternal life (a Divine pledge that begins at a point in one’s life it is made);
2. an anointing from Him that (a) abides within us, (b) teaches us the truth, and (c) causes us to abide in Him; and,
3. a command to us to abide in Him.

Interwoven in this passage, we see 2 concepts:

1. Eternal life has more than one reality (a present actuality and an existence in a dimension not yet fully realized but is certainly coming); and,
2. Abiding involves two actors (the Triune Divine and human joined by one source of truth).

Let’s broaden our view to see what the entire letter states about eternal life.

 

“Eternal Life” is mentioned 6 xs in 1st John.

Let’s return our focus to the remaining verses in chapter 2.

The Main Point in This Segment

Concepts Covered in this Big Idea are Throughout Scripture (Click to expand)

The below cross-references support the points covered within the verse-by-verse review of 1 John 2:25-29.

The state of God-given eternal life is best understood throughout the full counsel of Scripture.

1. The origination and definition of eternal life is from God who can and will fulfill His promise (Isaiah 38:7, Romans 4:21, Galatians 3:14, Ephesians 1:13, Hebrews 10:23);
2. The source or reason for continuance is found in the will of the eternal Godhead with conformable participation from the redeemed beneficiary (1 Peter 1:23, John 15:10, 16, 2 John 1:7, 9, John 14:26, John 16:13, 1 Corinthians 2:13, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:16-17, John 10:27-30);
3. Eternal life consists of a supernatural quality of life in the earthly dimension (Psalms 31:20, Psalms 71:23, Psalms 97:10, Psalms 103:2-6, 10-14, 17-18, Psalms 144:15, Proverbs 2:8, Proverbs 10:22, John 3:36, John 6:35, 40, 45, 47, John 7:38-39, John 8:51, John 10:10, 27-30, John 11:26, John 17:2-3, John 20:31, Romans 2:7, Romans 5:21, Romans 8:1, 5-6, 16-17, 28-39, Romans 11:29, Romans 14:17, 1 Corinthians 1:8, 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13-14, Ephesians 4:30, Ephesians 5:9, Philippians 1:6, Philippians 2:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, 1 Timothy 4:8, 1 Timothy 6:12, 19, 2 Timothy 4:18, Hebrews 5:14, James 1:12, 1 Peter 1:5, 2 Peter 1:3, 1 John 5:20, Jude 1:21);
4. Eternal life is more realized in the glorified unending dimension (Job 19:25-27, Psalms 16:11, Isaiah 26:19, Matthew 13:43, Romans 8:17, 30, 1 Corinthians 15:42-53, 2 Corinthians 5:1-8, Philippians 3:10, 20-21, Colossians 3:3-4, 1 Thessalonians 4:14, 2 Timothy 4:8, Hebrews 11:16, James 1:12, 1 Peter 5:4, 1 John 3:2, Revelation 2:10, Revelation 3:21, Revelation 19:9, Revelation 21:4, Revelation 22:5).

Let’s examine these concepts verse by verse. What do you notice from reading the passage in your Bible?

Verse by Verse Highlights/Insights

• Verse 26: The Apostle John was concerned about the deceivers in verses 18 and 19 who infiltrated the church with false teachings contrary to Christ’s. So, he re-emphasized the teaching of eternal life by abiding in Christ. The deceivers left the believers because they did not have fellowship with the LORD.
• Verse 27: Believers have the indwelling Holy Spirit who confirms Christ (the way, the truth, the life). Jesus said:
  • “but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14)
  • “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. (John 14:26)
• The Holy Spirit is “the guarantee” of eternal life and He confirms that the Apostles’ teachings (contained in Scripture) are the same as Christ’s. There is no new “higher knowledge” teaching that brings eternal life. Jesus taught us to remain (abide) in what He taught; not to seek additional or opposing knowledge (which would come from false teachers).
• Straying from Christ’s teachings causes deception. For this reason, the Holy Spirit
  1. inspired sanctified men to write down Scripture so that humanity would (1) have a record of God’s Word and works and (2) understand Him and His requirements (2 Timothy 3:16, Romans 15:4, 2 Peter 1:19-21, Psalms 119:130).
  2. imparts to some individuals the ability to instruct/educate(to be true teachers of Christ’s teachings) within the church in every generation – 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11, Colossians 3:16, 2 Timothy 2:2, 24).
  3. reminds believers of what Jesus said by recalling to them what they learned by the reading or preaching of Scripture they have heard (John 14:17, John 15:26, 1 John 4:6, John 14:26, Romans 10:17).

• Verse 28: With the anointing of the Holy Spirit who enables believers to follow the written teachings of Christ, there will be greater confidence in the Godhead’s character, His promises, and our understanding of how His family should live in this earthly dimension. When engaging with Christ through His Word, and praying in the Spirit, we can:
  1. have sweet fellowship with the Father, Son and Spirit (John 14:23) and the family of God; and,
  2. be strengthened to fulfill God’s purpose for us while persevering through tests and trials (James 1:2-4).
• At Christ’s return, we can be confident having stood firmly in Christ’s teachings. If we are swayed by the words of deceivers who contradict God’s word, what would we say to the Son of God when He returns? Jesus said:
  • “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38)
• This earthly life is a brief opportunity for humanity to seek God. Children of God are to make it their highest priority to further His interests and kingdom while learning to be like Christ which (1) fulfills us in this dimension and (2) assures us there will be no need to be ashamed when we see Him.
  • “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” (John 6:27)
  • “… seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

• Verse 29: This verse’s message is repeated later in 1st John. John warned that deceivers will lie and may try to give you permission to practice unrighteousness or sin.
  • Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. … In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. (1 John 3:7, 10).
• If we are born of Christ, we walk in the truth and reflect our Saviour’s righteousness, repenting when we error so that we remain in agreement with Him (John 7:18, Psalms 92:15). Jesus said:

Summation:

What Can You Do? 

• Please read 1st John 3; remember to pray first.
• Chapter 3’s theme is about loving other believers. It can be best digested in 5 sections (or more). How would you segment the verses? What are the key messages from each of the segments?
• Look up the passages referenced in these study notes to verify them.

What I Will Do 

• Pray, study and keep it short (my goal is a 10-minute read although I am not always successful).

What are the Series Objectives?

• Understand the evidence of eternal salvation with its instructions and warnings. 
• Celebrate the assurance we have in Christ; deepen our fellowship with the Father and His family.
• Identify and take any corrective actions.

All Scripture in this blog is from the New King James Version unless otherwise specified.