In 1 John 2:18-27 John acknowledges that false teachings and teachers have existed from the beginning of the human race and will continue until the last days; however, believers need to know the truth in order to recognize error. Since God is true and His words are also true, believers must constantly expose themselves to God’s written word. Why should believers remain in the truth? John answers this question when he writes, “And now, little children, abide [continue] in Him, that when He [Jesus] appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming [rapture, see also 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18]. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him” (2:28-29). This concept should be obvious. Those who love God will obey and follow His ways.
In an expression of worship, John reminds his readers about God’s love for them, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him” (3:1). In his gospel account of the life and ministry of Jesus, John had dedicated much of his writing to exposing God’s love for mankind (John 3:16-17) as well as the privilege of those who believe being adopted into God’s family (John 1:12). We have not yet experienced the fullness of being God’s children, “but we know that when He [Jesus] is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (3:2-3). Our present bodies are subject to sin, sickness, and weakness but when Jesus returns for those who believe in Him, we will receive new bodies. Paul writes about how our bodies will change at Jesus’ return, “So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body (1 Corinthians 15:42-44). Knowing that Jesus will return for believers should challenge them to live according to God’s ways.
In reality, John is trying to tell his readers that the way of sin and God’s ways are very different paths which cannot be traveled at the same time. Although believers still struggle with sin, the ways of the world (1 John 2:15-17) do not characterize their lifestyle. For this reason John writes, “Whoever [habitually] commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He [Jesus] was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not [habitually] sin. Whoever [habitually] sins has neither seen Him nor known Him” (3:4-6). Returning to his warnings about the false teachers, John reveals why they cannot be children of God, “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (3:7-8). John’s message is very evident. Those who have become the children of God through repentance of sin and belief in Jesus do not live according to the world’s ways (3:9).
Dear God, thank You for the love that You demonstrated toward me by sending Your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for my sin. Now help me to demonstrate my love for You by living my life according to Your ways.
