Resting in the Truth

24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. 26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that 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. 1 John 2:24-27

Do you ever feel like following God’s will is a bit confusing? It may even feel like you are wearing a blindfold sometimes, trying to maneuver the obstacles of life. And it sure doesn’t help when you have a crowd of voices yelling in your ear where to go. Which step do you take? Which voice do you listen to? It might feel completely overwhelming!
The good news is that John has given us a good summary of how to filter all of those voices in verses 24-27. When you feel like you don’t know God’s will, when you don’t know who to trust to help you live out your faith, John says, “you have no need that anyone teach you.” What does this mean? It does not mean that you literally don’t need anyone to keep teaching you about Jesus, because as Christians, we are definitely called to learn from other Christians. Instead it means that because we are anointed with the Holy Spirit, the Spirit inside of us teaches us what we need to cling to the truth. And that is belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, our highest trust should be placed in what the Holy Spirit has already equipped us, chiefly the Bible. Then we should also live life with other Christians who have been anointed with the same Holy Spirit so that we may spur each other on to the truth of Jesus. However, we have no need for the world, the antichrists, and unbelievers to teach us about truth. Because through the Spirit’s work inside of us, we already have all that we need to know the gospel; that is, the same gospel that has been told from the very beginning.
We can rest in this truth. We can abide in Truth Himself.

Questions for reflection and discussion
1. How do we know what the truth is?
2. What effect does the truth have on you?

Dear God, thank You for the guidance of your Holy Spirit. Help us love the gospel and all truth you have given us. Amen.