John wrote this part of his letter to people who had been Christians for a while, exhorting them to stick to the gospel they heard when they were first converted. For there were many around who offered a different gospel to the one proclaimed by the apostles. John urges them to remain in the original teaching.

These Christians were anointed, they had the Spirit within them, who would guide them and enable them to listen. John urges them to remain in the Spirit.

Throughout the ages, from the days of the New Testament until today, there are those who propose a different gospel to the one proclaimed by the apostles. As with the Christians of the New Testament, the Spirit indwells all Christians to guide them and enable them, and the apostles teaching has been preserved in the New Testament as a written account that we might be able to test the teaching.

For if we hold to the only true gospel, we will know God – for that is eternal life.

As the Israelites recounted their victory over the Canaanite kings in Joshua 12, one wonders what benefit there is in naming each one. Yet, all Scripture is God breathed and looking at it, even the list has something to say.

Under the banner of Joshua, God enabled the Israelites to take the land.

Through it all, God faithfully enables the Israelites to do his will.

This results in the israelites being able to count their blessings, literally one by one.

Through unity in a greater Joshua, Christians can unite and do God’s will. If it is God’s will we are doing, he is faithful to enable us and be with us, and should we become discouraged, we should look back at the blessing we have received from God.