What’s New?

1 John 2:28-29 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.
 
WE see John drawing some conclusion to the first part of this epistle. He has been teaching of a truth that was from the beginning (1 John 1:1). This is the truth of God as Creator. It is the truth Jesus is his Son. The truth is that Jesus has come from heaven and through a cross and a grave he is now resurrected. He is alive, returned to heaven’s throne. Jesus’ resurrection is the event that empowered the church to begin. The truth is God began a universe. God began a promise to save mankind from sin. God’s Son began a new covenant of salvation. The Holy Spirit formed a new church to begin God’s final step in the world to advance his salvation plan for mankind. Next to come is the beginning of eternal life in heaven. All this, God has begun for each one who believes in Jesus. This is the gospel.  
    John has written because he is faithful to the truth. He has encouraged the church to live in joy because God has quickened – he has made alive – the gospel in their hearts. They are anointed children, who have become (symbolically) young men, vigorous and strong for Jesus. They are fathers – again an image of wisdom for all people –  who know the full truth of Jesus.
    This is very simple, isn’t it? God has truly begun something very plain, direct and alive. In Jesus’ resurrection, you can know with all your heart, mind and soul that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)
 
Faith Thought: You are new in Jesus! Live as if it’s true.