Remain in Christ

John tells believers to let the original apostolic message remain in them, because that abiding word keeps them in the Son and in the Father. The promise tied to such abiding is eternal life. He explains that he writes these things because deceivers are trying to mislead them, yet he reminds them that the anointing they received from Christ remains in them and teaches them truly. The paragraph combines warning against deception with confidence in God's preserving gift.

A²⁴s for you, let what you have heard from the beginning remain in you. If it does, you will also remain in the Son and in the Father. ²⁵And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life. ²⁶I have written these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. ²⁷And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught.

John then addresses the church again as little children and commands them to remain in Christ so that His appearing will bring confidence instead of shame. He closes by reasoning from Christ's righteousness: if believers know that He is righteous, then they should also recognize that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him. The paragraph moves from eschatological confidence to the visible moral evidence of new birth.

²⁸And now, little children, remain in Christ, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming. ²⁹If you know that He is righteous, you also know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him.