Prayer: Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me (Psalms 119:5-8).
Oh Lord, forgive us when we fall short of your expectations and we are not obedient to your word. Protect us this day from unrighteousness. Amen.
Main Scripture:
As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us—eternal life. I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him. And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears, we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him (1John2:24-29).
Associated Scriptures:
Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared. Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good. How I long for your precepts! In your righteousness preserve my life (Psalms 119:33-40)
Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes (Psalms 119:11-12, NKJV).
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).
Correlative Quotes:
The truth of Christ, abiding in us, is a means to sever from sin, and unites us to the Son of God, John 15:3-4. What value should we put upon gospel truth! Thereby the promise of eternal life is made sure. The promise God makes, is suitable to his own greatness, power, and goodness; it is eternal life. The Spirit of truth will not lie; and he teaches all things in the present dispensation, all things necessary to our knowledge of God in Christ, and their glory in the gospel. The apostle repeats the kind words, "little children;" which denotes his affection. He would persuade by love. Gospel privileges oblige to gospel duties; and those anointed by the Lord Jesus abide with him. The new spiritual nature is from the Lord Christ. He that is constant to the practice of religion in trying times, shows that he is born from above, from the Lord Christ. Then, let us beware of holding the truth in unrighteousness, remembering that those only are born of God, who bear his holy image, and walk in his most righteous ways.[1] – Matthew Henry
And, let not the Reader overlook what makes everything blessed in knowledge, namely, having the unction (Inspiration) of the SPIRIT, by which we know all things. This is an infallible teacher; and the figure is beautiful. The unction of the SPIRIT, gives light to the spiritual eyes, softens the heart, searches the understanding, mollifies the corrupt affections, and becomes the oil of joy and gladness, in imparting a knowledge of all things necessary to salvation. It appears that John, the beloved Apostle, lived long enough to see many of the early heresies. And it is our mercy that he did. For, by reason of it, he hath armed the Church, under the HOLY GHOST, against them. If they dared to creep in, with the denial of the GODHEAD of CHRIST, (which, for the most part, is the foundation of all other heresies,) while John was yet alive, who lay in the bosom of CHRIST, what might not be expected from the latter-day apostacy?[2] – Robert Hawker
And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. This is evidently added to encourage them in adhering to the truths which they had embraced respecting the Son of God. In maintaining these truths, they had the promise of eternal life; in departing from them they had none, for the promise of heaven in our world is made only to those who embrace one class of doctrines or opinions. No one can show that any promise of heaven is made to the mere possessor of beauty, or wealth, or talent; to the accomplished or the gay; to those who are distinguished for science, or skill in the arts; to rank, or birth, or blood; to courage or strength, whatever expectation of heaven any one may entertain on account of any of these things, must be traced to something else than a promise, for there is none in the Bible to that effect. The promise of heaven to men is limited to those who repent of their sins, who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and who lead a holy life; and if anyone will base his hope of heaven on a promise, it must be limited to these things. And yet what well-founded hope of heaven can there be, except that which is based on a promise? How does anyone know that he can be saved, unless he has some assurance from God that it may and shall be so? Is not heaven his home? How does anyone know that he may dwell there, without some assurance from him that he may? Is not the crown of life his gift? How can anyone know that he will possess it, unless he has some promise from him? However, men may reason, or conjecture, or hope, the only promise of eternal life is found in the Bible; and the fact that we have such a promise should surely be a sufficient inducement to us to hold fast the truth. On the promise of life in the gospel, see John 17:2; Ro 2:6,7; Mark 16:16; Matthew 25:46.[3] – Albert Barnes
Study:
After Jesus told the disciples to teach others to obey all that He had taught them over their three years together, He said, “and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). His “I am with you,” refers to the promise of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. (John 15:26)
The Spirit of God is our mentor in life and our teacher for the word. He is the one who convicts us of our sin and drives us to repentance. When we are in fellowship with the Spirit, He is our pipeline to God. The spirit is also responsible for our spiritual growth. His teaching grows progressively deeper as we study His word. Each day as we grow in His knowledge and truth the same verses will have new meaning. Spiritual growth comes through the understanding of the word. Wisdom comes through its expression in our lives and we “work out our salvation.”
My life verses for many years came for Psalm 1 which explains the need for walking in the light to grow spiritually. I probably have taught and preached on that scripture dozens of times. Every time I prepare to use these precious words again, they had new meaning to me and I develop a new appreciation for its interpretation.
Interestingly enough, when those who I am teaching comment on their understanding of the message, each one has received something different. Not only has my knowledge and understanding of the scripture changed as I grow, but the Holy Spirit gives each one an interpretation that meets their needs and speaks to them at their spiritual level. It is His teaching that allows us to discern the truth of God. It is the Spirit of God who gives us the light of understanding and wisdom.
We must prepare ourselves for the second coming of Jesus. We get ready by continuing to grow spiritually. He expects it and has prepared us positionally for it. 1 Thessalonians 5:2 tell us to be ready when it says, “for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 give us even more detail went Paul explains, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so, we will be with the Lord forever.
Summary Statement:
When I was a teen, many years ago, we sang the song, “Give me that old time religion, it’s good enough for me.”[4] The old-time religion we sang about was biblical religion using the names of Old and New Testament characters. We knew the story of every character. People of God. People of great faith and integrity. This is the substance of John’s writing in this section of scripture. God doesn’t change (Malachi 3:6); neither does His Word, message, or expectations. The meaning of obedience has never changed.
John is not sharing anything new. The Holy Spirit explains the truth of God that is found in the scriptures. He helps us to know the Word of God, to understand it, it’s application, how and when to apply it to our lives, and ultimately to be conformed to its truth.
Lesson within the Lesson:
What is the key verse in this section of scripture and what does it mean?
Why does John insist that we stick to the message of scripture for our spiritual growth?
What influence should the Holy Spirit have on our lives?
Why is the message of God, in His word, unchanging and how can something that old be relevant to today?
[1] Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible (Unabridged), Volume VI, (Acts to Revelation), Public Domain, 1706, bitimage.dyndns. org/, P. 1543.
[2] Robert Hawker, The Poor Man’s New Testament Commentary, Ibid, P. 700.
[3] Albert Barnes, Notes Explanatory and Practical, Public Domain, Ibid, P. 4832.
[4] Great Songs of the Church, Number Two Edition (Louisville: Word and Work, 1937), Item 275.
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