The Guileless Spirit
R. S. Candlish, D. D. 1 John 2:26-28 These things have I written to you concerning them that seduce you.… I. THE PROVISION MADE FOR OUR ABIDING IN HIM is the "anointing which we receive of Him abiding in us." 1. It is in us; it is an inward anointing. Not with oil on the head, but with the Holy Ghost in the heart, we are anointed; as He from whom we receive the anointing was Himself anointed. 2. This anointing is permanent — "it abideth in you." It is not a fitful emotion or wayward impulse, a rapture of excitement, alternating perhaps with deep depression. It partakes more of the nature of a calm, constant, settled conviction. There may be more or less of the vivid sense of this anointing, at different seasons and in different circumstances; the signs of it may be more or less clearly discernible, and the hold we have of it in our consciousness may be more or less strong. But it "abideth in us," keeping God and eternity still before us as realities, in our sorest trials and darkest horn's, causing us, as we fall back upon it, like David in his recovery from doubting despondency, to exclaim (Psalm 77:10). 3. This anointing is sufficient in and of itself; its teaching needs no corroboration from anyone; it has a Divine self-evidencing power of its own that makes him who receives it independent of human testimony: "ye need not that any man teach you." 4. The teaching of this anointing is complete and thorough, all embracing, all-comprehensive; "it teacheth you of all things." It is not partial or one-sided, as human teaching on Divine subjects is apt to be, but full-orbed, well rounded, like a perfect circle. It needs the Divine anointing of which we speak to teach, to unfold, to exhaust, all that is in the song of the angels, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." 5. Finally, this anointing "is truth, and is no lie." It carries with it, and in it, an assurance not to be called in question or shaken — an assurance, one may say, infallibly sure. II. THE MOTIVE URGED FOR YOUR ABIDING IN CHRIST is the hope or prospect of "His appearing," "His coming." It is urged very earnestly and affectionately. John might have kept to the mode of address which he has been using, and to which in the next verse he returns; as an apostle exhorting his disciples, a teacher instructing his scholars, speaking authoritatively or ex cathedra. But when the end of all comes in view he cannot separate himself from them. We are to be together with the Lord, you and we — you disciples and we apostles; you scholars and we teachers. And for this end we would have you to abide in Him, that we may have confidence together when He appears. Let me be ever asking myself, at every moment, If He were to appear now, would I have confidence? If He were to come into my house, my room, and show Himself, and speak to me face to face, would I have confidence? Could I meet His look of love without embarrassment? Only if He found me "abiding in Him"; doing whatever I might be doing "in His name, giving thanks unto God even the Father by Him"; only if He found me keeping Him in my heart. (R. S. Candlish, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. WEB: These things I have written to you concerning those who would lead you astray.