Context No. 4002 of 4322 · 1 John

1 John 2:24-29: in context

24Therefore, as for you, let that remain in you which you heard from the beginning. If that which you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son, and in the Father. 25This is the promise which he promised us, the eternal life. 26These things I have written to you concerning those who would lead you astray. 27As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you will remain in him. 28Now, little children, remain in him, that when he appears, we may have boldness and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 29If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

John writes to believers surrounded by false teachers trying to lead them astray, and his counsel is simple: let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If the truth they had received at the first remained in them, then they would remain in the Son and in the Father, secure against the errors swirling around them.

The key word is abide, or remain. Twice John urges it: let the truth abide in you, and abide in him. The Christian life is not only a matter of starting well but of remaining, of holding fast to what we first received and continuing steadily in Christ. And John reassures them that they have what they need for this: the anointing they received, the Holy Spirit, abides in them and teaches them the truth, guarding them from the lies. There is both a call and a comfort here. The call is to remain, to keep abiding in Christ rather than being carried off by every new teaching. And the comfort is that we do not do this in our own strength; the Spirit abides in us to teach and keep us.

Am I abiding steadily in Christ and in the truth I first received, letting it remain in me and trusting the Spirit who abides in me to keep me, rather than being carried off by every new teaching?

Sources

1 John 2:24: "Let that remain in you which you heard from the beginning. If that... remains in you, you also will remain in the Son, and in the Father."
1 John 2:27: "The anointing which you received from him remains in you... his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true."
1 John 2:28: "Now, little children, remain in him, that when he appears, we may have boldness and not be ashamed before him at his coming."