How can we ensure God's word "remains in you" as 1 John 2:24 instructs? The Charge from John “ As for you, let what you have heard from the beginning remain in you. If it does, you will also remain in the Son and in the Father.” (1 John 2:24) John calls believers back to the unchanging gospel they first received. Remaining in that message safeguards fellowship with both the Son and the Father. Guarding the Deposit • 1 Timothy 6:20 speaks of guarding what has been entrusted; 2 Timothy 1:14 adds, “Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit.” • The “good treasure” is the apostolic teaching about Christ’s person and work. Guarding it requires both conviction and vigilance. Practical Habits that Anchor the Word • Consistent Reading: “This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night” (Joshua 1:8). Daily intake keeps truth fresh. • Memorization: “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). Memorized verses surface in temptation and decision-making. • Meditation: Reflecting on a passage until its meaning and implications settle in the soul (Psalm 1:2). • Application: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). Obedience cements knowledge into character. • Corporate Worship: Colossians 3:16 urges believers to “let the word of Christ richly dwell among you” through teaching, singing, and fellowship. • Sound Teaching: Sitting under faithful exposition prevents drift (Acts 2:42). Letting Truth Shape Relationships • Family Conversations: Deuteronomy 6:6-7 models discussing Scripture “when you sit at home and when you walk along the road.” • Mutual Encouragement: Hebrews 10:24-25 highlights meeting together to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” • Discipleship: Paul urged Timothy to entrust truth to faithful people who will teach others (2 Timothy 2:2). Shared study multiplies understanding. Watchfulness Against Substitutes • Test Every Spirit: 1 John 4:1 warns of deceitful doctrines. Compare every message with Scripture’s plain meaning. • Avoid Novelty for Novelty’s Sake: 2 John 1:9—“Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God.” • Cling to Christ’s Sufficiency: False teachers often add requirements or diminish His deity (Colossians 2:8-10). Holding the original gospel guards against these distortions. Fruit that Confirms the Word Remains • Growing Love for God and Others (1 John 4:12). • Increasing Hatred of Sin (Psalm 97:10). • Steadfast Hope amid Trial (Romans 15:4). • Readiness to Share the Gospel (1 Peter 3:15). • Perseverance in Sound Doctrine to the end (John 8:31). When believers continually feed on Scripture, guard it, live it, and encourage one another in it, the word truly “remains” in them, and they in the Son and in the Father—exactly as John promised. |
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