Daily Devotion in I John 2

Daily Nugget:
The deceptions of men were a problem that deeply troubled John as he continued discussing them in this chapter. He knew that the words that came out of some men’s mouths were not actually what they believed. By experience and the illumination from the Holy Spirit, he learned that a person’s true heart was often reflected by their deeds and actions.

John learned that a person who claimed to be a believer but did not keep God’s commandments was a liar (I John 2:4). God’s truth was not in him when he claimed to be a child of God but did not do the things that God had commanded him to do.

Going through life as a Christian, our ears, eyes, and discernment are often on others that claim the same faith. We are confused when we hear their profession of faith yet see that they are not living the life they are supposed to live. Although we scratch our heads at one that says one thing but lives another, the Holy Spirit, through the Apostle’s writing simply says, “… the truth is not in them.” God knows if one is saved or not. We, and sometimes they, do not know if they are children of God.

Another deception is when one claims to be a child of God but hates other saved people. God says one that does not love other born-again people are “… in darkness even until now” (I John 2:9). If one is saved, he will love the other members of God’s family.

That love puts up with a lot, is kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not prideful, does not cause one to act improperly, does not get mad quickly, does not think the worst about another, is not happy when a person does wrong, believes people, has hope for them, and never stops (I Cor.13:4-8). Getting bitter, holding a grudge, and wishing bad things on others is not love — no matter what one claims!

Those that also love this world, more than anything, are also fooling themselves.
“… If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (I John 2:15b).

Another deceiver says Jesus is not the one God promised to come (I John 2:22). Some of the most popular religions, when examined, are deceptive in this area. Some even claim to be Christian but claim Jesus was just a good man, a prophet, a good example, but not God’s only Son. No matter the cult’s popularity and numbers, as far a God is concerned (and no other opinion matters), they are liars (I John 2:22).

There is much deception in this world. Sometimes people even deceive themselves. However, adhering to what God says in His Word and using it as a guideline make it easier to discern what is of God and what is not. If actions and words line up with the Word of God, then it is of God. Anything opposing it is not of Him. God is not the author of confusion (I Cor. 14:33).

Today’s Thought: 
“Actions speak louder than words.” — Author Unknown

Words to Understand:
Advocate: Someone that defends another
Propitiation: overcoming mistrust and dislike; atoning for sin
Unction: anointing; God’s sanctifying grace

Today’s Reading:
I John 2
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 ¶ And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
7 ¶ Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
12 ¶ I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
18 ¶ Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
20 ¶ But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
28 ¶ And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.