How can we ensure we "have both the Father and the Son"? The Core Principle: Abide in Christ’s Teaching • 2 John 1:9: “Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son.” • “Remaining” (Greek: μένει, menō) means to stay, live, or dwell. Assurance of possessing both Persons of the Godhead rests on staying put in what Jesus taught—neither subtracting nor adding. • The issue is not mere intellectual assent but settled, continuing adherence to the full, unaltered message Christ delivered and authenticated. Guarding the Truth of Who Jesus Is • False teachers in John’s day denied Jesus’ full deity or true humanity (cf. 2 John 1:7). That denial meant they had neither Father nor Son. • 1 John 2:22-24 confirms: “No one who denies the Son can have the Father… let what you heard from the beginning remain in you.” • Essential truths to hold fast: – Jesus is the eternal Word made flesh (John 1:1, 14). – He is the only atoning sacrifice (1 John 2:2). – He bodily rose and now reigns (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). • Guarding these truths keeps the door open to genuine fellowship with both divine Persons. Remaining in Loving Obedience • Orthodoxy and obedience belong together. John 14:23: “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” • Key areas of obedient abiding: – Walking in His commandments (2 John 1:6). – Practicing righteousness (1 John 3:7). – Refusing friendship with the world’s sinful system (James 4:4). • When we keep His word, Father and Son “make Their home” in us—ongoing, intimate residence. Walking in the Light Together • Fellowship is communal, not isolated. 1 John 1:7: “If we walk in the light… we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus… cleanses us.” • Corporate safeguards: – Faithful local church life—devotion to apostolic teaching, breaking of bread, prayer (Acts 2:42). – Mutual exhortation against deception (Hebrews 3:13). – Testing the spirits (1 John 4:1-3). • Staying within a biblically grounded community helps prevent “running ahead” into error. Practical Checkpoints for Daily Life • Word: Daily read and meditate on Scripture, letting Christ’s teaching correct and anchor you (John 8:31-32). • Doctrine: Measure every sermon, book, podcast against the plain teaching about Christ found in Scripture. • Obedience: Ask, “Is there a clear command of Jesus I’m delaying to obey?” Prompt obedience reinforces assurance. • Love: Actively serve fellow believers; love proves genuine discipleship (John 13:34-35). • Discernment: Politely but firmly refuse hospitality to doctrines that deny Christ (2 John 1:10-11). Living Assurance: Fruits of Having the Father and the Son • Inner witness: “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Romans 8:16). • Growing holiness: Increasing likeness to Christ evidences divine indwelling (2 Corinthians 3:18). • Steadfast hope: Confidence at Christ’s appearing flows from abiding (1 John 2:28). • Enduring love: Ongoing, sacrificial love for God and others affirms that Father and Son truly dwell within (1 John 4:12-13). By staying anchored in the unchanging teaching of Christ, walking in obedient love, and remaining vigilant against distortion, we can rest assured that we “have both the Father and the Son.” |
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