1 John 2:18-27

For Reading and Meditation:     Psalm 14:1-7

The idea of a living personal God gives men and women the jitters. They sense deep within that they are accountable to Him but they don't know just what to do about it. C. S. Lewis put it like this: "The Pantheist's God does nothing, demands nothing. He is there if you wish for Him, like a book on a shelf. He will not...

At first glance this verse poses problems. If we don't need anyone to teach us, why did the risen Lord give teachers to build up the saints for the work of ministering (Ephesians 4:11-12)?

In order to understand John's meaning, it helps to know the background of his letter. At the time he wrote, the church was being plagued by false teachers known as Gnostics. These heretics had once professed to be sincere believers in the Lord Jesus...

Not that we shall be exempt from loss disappointment, sickness, human unkindness, embarrassment, vexation, insult, defamation, humiliation; not that we shall have in this world all the displays of providential favor on which we may have calculated; these are not the things promised; the promise that he hath promised us is eternal life. God may have dealt strangely with thee, my soul; but say frankly, has he at all dealt with thee in a way to hinder the fulfillment of the promise made thee?...

My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.The Lord loves justice, and does not forsake His saints; they are preserved forever. § The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.The just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. § If they had been of us, they would have continued...

It shall not be poured on man’s flesh; nor shall you make any other like it, according to its composition. It is holy, and it shall be holy to you. § One Spirit. § Diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions. § God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. § God does not give the Spirit by measure.Of His fullness we have all received. § As the same anointing teaches you...

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. § It pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell. § Of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.You anoint my head with oil. § The anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.The...

For now we see in a mirror, dimly. § Now we do not yet see all things put under him.We have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. § Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.Beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk...