1 John 2

There are so many encouraging verses in this chapter.

1 John 2:1-3
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense- Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.

Jesus bridged the gap between God the Father and the broken humanity so that we can still have a relationship with Him. He took upon himself the punishment that should have been ours. If we know Jesus: who he is and his purpose for walking alongside us in human form, than we would have that drive to imitate Jesus in all aspects of life. However, we as humans are still broken so being able to stay on the path and not be led astray by earthly things is difficult.

1 John 2:6
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 

We're never going to perfectly be just like Jesus because we are not even near holy at all... but it's the mindset of wanting to be like Jesus, to be pure, clean, and righteous... that is what counts.

1 John 2:12
I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.

"Jesus, all for Jesus. All I am and have and ever hope to be". These are lyrics from a worship song that popped up in my head when I read this verse. I am able to desire things and have a mind of my own because of Jesus. I have been forgiven for my sins, and as a symbol of eternal gratitude the things that I'll ever receive should be dedicated to Him... everything for Him.

1 John 2:14
I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 

When we are able to build our foundation on the Word of Life, then we will not be as easily swayed by Satan's tempting words and thoughts. It will give us the power to overcome anything.

1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does- comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

Why crave for things that are not everlasting? Money, career, materials don't go with us to heaven. There's something even greater and better that we do not see now but will satisfy all of us to the core... and that is the love of God and being with Him in a place where sadness and suffering will be no more. Satan will not have control over us anymore and there will be no sin. A world like that sounds amazing, I can't even imagine how a utopian world can be like.

1 John 2:20
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

God has chosen us to be adopted into His family. His anointing, protection, and providence is for us to use for His glory. A relationship with the Father grants us access to the truth of His saving grace for us despite our wretchedness and brokenness that was caused by our first father.

1 John 2:24
See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.

Find our roots in Christ. He is the one that will help us grow a faith as small as a mustard seed to one that can move mountains.  We need to remain in Jesus and allow him to take the steering wheel in the journey called life.