1 John 2:24-29 - Children of God

2:24,25

The people had heard the true gospel at the beginning, they were to ensure that they continued in this. This does not mean that they had nothing more to learn, but everything is built upon the foundation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If anything deviates from this then it is not of God. Conversely, if we continue on the foundation that was laid we will remain in the Son and the Father. Then we can be assured of what is promised, eternal life. If we start to think we need to add things to the gospel, or to go in a different direction, then we will find that we are no longer in Christ.

2:26

John is writing all this to protect them from those who are trying to lead them astray. Part of the duty of church leaders is to give clear teaching and to protect the congregation from erroneous teaching.

2:27

When we come to faith in Christ it is much more than a decision on our part. We are born again, we receive an anointing from the Lord. We receive the Holy Spirit and we are a new creation. “You do not need anyone to teach you”. A warning against over-literal interpretations, which are in fact illiterate interpretations. John quite clearly does not mean that they do not need anyone to teach them, he himself is teaching them, and teachers are a vital part of the church. What he means is that they don’t need the gnostics to teach them, there is no higher knowledge, or secret knowledge, that they need. So they are to remain faithful to the message of the gospel, and if they do they will remain in Christ.

2:28,29

Note the almost casual reference to the return of Christ. All the New Testament writers expected the return of Christ. Moreover, this was not some idle speculation on dates and places, rather it was something that motivated and guided how they lived. John here speaks of being “confident and unashamed before Him at His coming”. The return of Christ is meant to encourage us to live godly lives of effective service now.

Jesus is righteous, therefore anyone who truly knows Him will begin to reflect that righteousness. Living a Christlike life is the evidence of being a Christian.