To read: 1 John 2:18-28
New Revised Standard Version Bible,Children, it is the last hour! As you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. From this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But by going out they made it plain that none of them belongs to us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and all of you have knowledge.
copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
To think about:
We
hear a lot of words in this passage - big words - but rereading the passage, I hear a story of God's great gift of love for all people in Christ. This message sounds quite particular and special to those who believe, but the letter writer proclaims Christ abides in us and we abide in him.
Dr. Edgar Krentz states, "Christians are not distinguished by their superior life style (desirable as that might be) but by their dependence on forgiveness" - God's forgiveness and our forgiveness of each other, which I believe stems from God's love. Lots of people have rejected him or drifted away from him. Some people even trust God but do not want to admit their lack of God's love in their lives.
To me, this letter notes that love is a social gift, something to be shared, something to be cherished, something to be fostered in life. So I rejoice to hear these words from the letter writer. What we know about God is continually remolded and reaffirmed by how we know God in Christ. We are brought together by love in a community of believers. We are supported by love in our family of faith. We are known by love in Christ as it is made visible by our actions.
To pray:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of love, your love which strengthens us and sustains us in our everyday life. Please continue to support us as we work to serve you and your people here on earth. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Associate member, St. John Lutheran Church, Baltimore, and St. Stephen and James Lutheran Church, Baltimore