24 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. 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life.
26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 27 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.
28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.
As the body of Christ, we have been offered the truth of the gospel. C.S. Lewis writes in Mere Christianity, “Hand over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think innocent as well as the ones you think wicked—the whole outfit. I (God) will give you a new self instead (that being God’s own self).”
In our culture today, truth is replaced with lies, good with evil, healthy with unhealthy—all accepted as the norm. As followers of Christ, if we are not careful, we can fall prey to these cultural norms that are so prevalent and lose sight of the truth of the gospel. We are encouraged “to remain faithful to what we have been taught from the beginning.” Not that we become judge and jury of others, but rather posturing ourselves to be present with Christ, while sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s moving and direction in our own life.
As the psalmist states in Psalm 20, after the series of blessings (May the Lord answer…protect…send help), there is an expressed conviction that Yahweh will do what we seek! He has heard our cry, now He will answer and rescue us with His great power. In our practice of living in the presence of God, He will guide and lead us in truth, His truth. But it is our choice as to whether we will follow that truth. The confidence and hope we have is that always when we come to Him with our heart open to His leading, he will answer, for “what He teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.” (I John 27-28).
Author: Kim Davis
Other Lenten readings for today:
- Judges 9:7-15
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