1 John 2:26

John writes about the false teachers. He warns his readers about them. These false teachers tried to lead people away from the truth. John was eager to correct the errors that they taught. He wants to be sure that none of his readers follow their lies.

Verse 27

The Holy Spirit always teaches us the truth

These false teachers try to lead Christians away from the truth. But the Christians have God’s Spirit in them. The *Lord Jesus sends God’s Spirit to live in his people. God’s Spirit will lead us into the truth. If we listen to him, we will know the truth. He will show us what is false.

Christians do not need anyone else to decide for them what is right or wrong. They know what is right or wrong by God’s Spirit in them. We do need teachers. But Christians have to test what their teachers teach. This is what God’s Spirit does for the Christian. He teaches the Christian what to believe. And he teaches him or her what to refuse.

God’s Spirit is real and he always teaches the truth. He can never teach what is false. So, his people can always trust him. As the Spirit of God has taught them, so they must remain in Christ.

Verse 28

We can have confidence when Jesus returns

‘Now’ recognises that this is the last time (see 1 John 2:18). When this period ends, the *Lord Jesus will come again. So, John tells them to continue to live in unity with Christ. They must not allow anything to take them away from the *Lord.

We remain in him. Then we will be confident when he comes. We will not be afraid of him. We have this confidence since he will come as a friend. We do not know when this will be. But we can be certain that he will come. And when he does, we want to be ready for him.

When Christ comes, he will come as the judge. All people will have to answer to him. They will answer for their actions. If we turn away from the *Lord, we will be ashamed.