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#SaturdayDevotion: Knowing the Truth (that Jesus is the Son of God and our Saviour (1 John 2:15-29).

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#SaturdayDevotion: 5th December

In this book, John is writing to people in the church. He assumes that the readers would already know the gospel and would have also accepted the message of Jesus as our Saviour. He writes affectionately, calling us his “dear children” and his intention is made clear in verses 1-2; so that we will not sin. We have an advocate with the Father who is Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the whole world. This is the key reference point for the chapter. 

Verses 15 – 17 warns us against worldliness and loving the material world and the worldly systems that ignore God. Loving the world means giving time, attention, loyalty and dedication to this worldly system. The sins and desires of the world; lust, greed and pride are not from God, but from our worldliness and attention to material things and society. We are strongly warned that if we love (pay a lot of attention to and dedicate ourselves to) these things, we will not have love for our Father God. It is not possible to have two opposing loves. To love one would mean we are unfaithful to the other.

Verses 18 – 19 warn us about false teachings and false prophets, but verse 20 reassures us that we have an anointing from the Holy Spirit to know the truth. We are warned against denying the truth and those people who would do this by denying that Jesus is the Christ. There is a strong warning that no one who denies the Son has the Father (v23). Therefore, to have God the Father in our hearts and lives, we must believe and acknowledge that he sent His Son Jesus to save us. We are encouraged to remember this at all times. If we do this, we are assured of what God has promised us, which is eternal life with Him in heaven.

Verse 26 warns us against others “who are trying to lead you astray”. This indicates that there will be people who will actively try to remove us from the truth and from our walk with God. We are reminded of the truth of our anointing in the Holy Spirit (v 27) and we are encouraged to remain in God so that we will be confident and unashamed when we meet Him. We are reminded that God is righteous and if we do what is right and follow His teaching, we have been “born in Him” and saved (v29). Godly behaviour is indicative of a close relationship with God. Our words and actions should show evidence of our close relationship with God.

Suggested Prayer

Father God, thank you for sending me your Son, Jesus Christ our saviour, to die on the cross for me. Thank you for showing me such great love and mercy. Help me to always remember this truth, that you sent your Son to die for my sins, so that I can be fully reconciled with you. Help me to withstand discouragement or distractions that may lead me away from you. Most of all, help me to love you steadfastly with all my heart, with all my soul and with all my mind (Matt 22:37).


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