1 JOHN 2:26-29

 

26 These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you.

 

    John is writing this letter because there are those who are trying to deceive you.  The Gnostics who were peddling their form of Christianity and the Judaizers who were telling them that they needed the law as well as Christ.  One was taking away from the truth and the other was adding.  In both cases it was deception and a lie.  The devil is always trying to altar the truth of the gospel it is only those thoroughly grounded in the word and led by the Holy Spirit that are able to see through it.

 

27 As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.

 

     John then once again reminds his hearers, readers, and audience there is an anointing which you received from Christ and it dwells, is part of you.  The anointing refers to the indwelling Holy Spirit who teaches, guides, and empowers all believers in Christ, which conveys being set apart, consecrated, or endowed for a divine purpose.  All Christians receive the Holy Spirit at conversion, which permanently abides in them and equips them for truth and godly living. 

     So, because of this anointing they have no need for anyone to teach you.  This means they will be able to tell truth from a lie.  His anointing means the Holy Spirit teaches you all things.  Jesus said that the Holy Spirit takes what He hears and passes it to us.  He teaches you what is a lie and what is truth.  The Holy Spirit also confirms what we have been taught and these truths remain in us. 

 

28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

 

     John then calls the listeners and readers his little children.  A reference to his perception of them as an older man and a spiritual father.  He encourages them to continue with what they have been doing and follow his previous instructions and encouragements. 

     The reason is clear that when He appears.  John is referencing the soon coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.  John like all apostles believed that Jesus Christ could back at any time.  Today most of us subscribe to this idea that either through the portal of death or the rapture His coming for us is soon and immanent. 

     When that event happens, we will stand in confidence and not in shame because we believed, practiced and showed the anointing and the abiding we did in Him.  Like the wise virgins we kept our lamps full of oil so when the bridegroom came, we were ready and able to enjoy the wedding.

 

29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

     John then points out that if you know He is righteous. This points out that true knowledge of God leads to a conviction of His righteousness, which in turn influences one's conduct and actions. Righteousness in this context is about living in a way that reflects God's character, which includes obeying God's commands, loving fellow believers, and walking in truth and purity. The verse connects being born of God with living righteously, indicating that a true relationship with God results in a transformation that manifests in righteous actions.  When you know Christ is righteous you follow His example and live it before others.  This demonstrates that you are born of God and know Him not in the head but in the heart.