2 January 2023

No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he has promised us, eternal life.

From 1 John 2:22-28, NRSV

For the second time in a few days, we hear John urging his readers to remain faithful to their beliefs and to resist the teaching of those who would deny Christ as Messiah. John assures his readers that their belief in the Father and the Son means that they already have the gift of eternal life. John’s message may sound simple, but it comes with the expectation that those who say they believe will be responsible for living what they believe and for keeping their faith alive.

• • Why do you suppose some had abandoned faith in Christ as Messiah?
  • What can prevent us from remaining faithful in our lives as Christians and how can we guard against this?

Give thanks for the gift of faith and pray for those who have become disillusioned or tired in their beliefs.