Very often as parents we urge our children to not just begin something with great interest but to continue and finish the task they have begun. In the same manner Apostle John sends out the message of “Finishing Well” to all his spiritual children. 

The ascension of Jesus Christ started the final countdown to His return. John knew that the only way believers could continue in their walk with Christ and finish triumphantly is by guarding 3 areas of their Christian life. This timeless, priceless message written by the Apostle helped the 1st Century Christians to be faithful to the end; it will keep us in these times, saving us from the deceptive words and deeds of the anti-Christ.

 
1. Remain in Him (1 John 2:24) – Jesus in His discussions with His disciples in John 15, tells them the importance of remaining in Him. This call applies to each of us because we can do nothing apart from the Father and the Son. When He returns He must find each remaining in: 

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• Christ the true Vine (John 15:5&8) – He alone can make each of us- the branches fruitful, which in turn will glorify the Father. ​

• His Word (John 15:7) – Knowing and believing what He has taught us, gives us the authority to pray correctly and receive answers from Him. ​

• His Love (John 15: 9-12) Our love for God is expressed in our acts of obedience to His commands, just as He obeyed the Father. This results in a deep spiritual union with Jesus and the Father. 

 

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2. Receive from Him – Jesus in Acts 1 tells the disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. As the early church grew, it witnessed very “strange fires” during revival just as we do in the present day. So John forewarned his spiritual children and us against “another Jesus and another gospel and a different spirit”; we are to remain in the anointing received from the Holy One that will teach us all things. (1 John 2:20-27)

Even as many today advocate “New Revelation”, we must remember what Jesus spoke in John 14:26 that the Spirit will teach and remind us of everything He has spoken. The Spirit will not teach us for our gratification but will teach us everything that leads us to our salvation and Christian living. 1Timothy 4:1 says “deceiving spirits will be very active during the end times.” So as a Body of Christ the most important Spiritual gift needed is “Discernment” of spirits so that we would not be lead astray from the truth. (1 John 2:26)

 

3. Continue in Him – Our Christian life begins with our Salvation but does not end there. Its just the beginning of our journey with God. Speaking to the crowds in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns them that the road to eternal life is narrow (Matt. 7:14) and very few find it. Jesus had many followers and as His teachings got harder to follow many left Him. Even today many say they follow Him but how many are His disciples? For us to continue in Him and to be found in Him when He appears (1 John 2:28) we must:
 

• Endure Hardship as a discipline, for God disciplines us for our good that we may share in His Holiness (Heb.12:10).

• Consider Jesus who endured opposition from a sinful men so that we may not grow weary and lose heart when we face the same (Heb.12:3).

• Struggle against sin to the point of shedding your blood so that we might receive the crown of righteousness prepared for us. (Hebrews 12:4 & 2 Tim.4:8) 

 

As we adhere to the guidelines from God’s Word today, may we all stand confident and unashamed when He returns!

Quote for the Day: “Beginning Well is a momentary thing, Finishing well is a lifelong thing.”  - Ravi Zacharias.