Love On: A Study Through 1 JohnSample

By Lisa Supp

“But 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. And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.”—1 John 2:27-28 (NKJV)

When my parents went out at night, my sisters allowed me certain “leniencies” that strictly went against my parents’ teaching. Staying up past bedtime was one of them. They would say, “It’ll be okay. We won’t tell.” When my parents were expected home, my sisters would send me to bed, I’d pretend to be asleep, and no one was the wiser. That is, until the one night when they came home unexpectedly. I lost out on a few desserts that week.

The shame was that I knew better. I didn’t have to see an ABC Afterschool Special to know what misbehaving was. My parents had taught me from the beginning, but my sisters went against their teaching, and I followed suit.

So, when I read today’s verse, I can take this practical application and turn it into a spiritual lesson. The first word John writes is “but.” This is important. John had just finished explaining how the church needed to be wary of deceptive teaching—to abide in Jesus and continue to “follow the teaching you heard from the beginning” (1 John 2:24 ERV). John acknowledged the Church knew the truth.

The word “but” was John’s encouragement that their understanding of God’s truth was an anointing from God when they received Jesus into their hearts. It was His gift to equip them to draw closer to Jesus, and this anointing truth is still available to anyone who accepts Jesus into his or her heart. Nothing God would teach us is a lie.

Yet, there are those who teach falsely, so it’s important to read our Bibles, pray, seek godly counsel, and attend healthy churches. That way, when Jesus does return, we will not be ashamed. 

Think He isn’t coming? Think again. In several areas of Scripture, the promise of Jesus’ return is given. The metaphor of a “thief in the night” is given. This implies His return will be a surprise (Matthew 24:43, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4, and 2 Peter 3:10). But I think Jesus says it best in Revelation 16:15 NKJV): “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” 

Jesus is coming, and we don’t want to be caught unprepared. God has given us multiple resources to equip us, and as His children we should know better. Like John, I pray we all walk in truth and abide in Him, so we don’t lose out on the eternal blessing of life with Jesus.

DIG: What does God’s anointing do for a believer?

DISCOVER: Read the verses given above regarding Jesus’ return. 

DO: Reflect on what you want to be doing when Jesus returns.