1 John 2:26–29; 2 John
Abide and Watch
1 John 2:26–29
“I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you do not need anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie — just as it has taught you, abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.”
2 John v 5–6
And now I ask you, dear lady — not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning — that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning so that you should walk in it.
In the old Peanuts cartoon strip by George Schultz, Charlie Brown’s timid optimism allowed him to be deceived by the smart-aleck, Lucy, over and over again. Lucy would hold a football for Charlie to kick, and every time, Charlie hoped he would make contact with the ball. But, without fail, Lucy pulled it away just as Charlie’s foot struck where the ball had been, causing him to fall while she laughed. “You’ll never…