In The Dust Of Your Rabbi

In ancient Jewish times, Rabbis (a devout Jewish male age 30) would call young men to become their disciples. Each rabbi would have a number of disciples and would entrust in them everything that they knew, learned and practiced. In order for young men to reach this point they would endure years of schooling. Only the best of the best would be selected to become a rabbi’s disciples. After a disciple was accepted by the rabbi, they would earnestly seek to become just like their rabbi. Over the next 10 years or so they would learn all that the rabbi knows and then would in turn become rabbis and call their own disciples. An ancient Hebrew blessing emerged from this custom. People would encourage young men saying, “May you be covered in the dust of your rabbi.” The idea was that disciples should follow so closely to their rabbi that they would be covered by the dust that was kicked up by his sandals.

1 John 2:1-14

Abide: To stay in a given place, state, or relationship.  Stand firmly and continually endure.

Abiding in Christ is the single most important work of the Christian life. It is only through continually abiding in Christ that we can avoid sinfulness and ungodly living. The key to fulfilling our purpose as Christians is to daily abide or endure in our relationship with Jesus Christ, our Master, Rabbi, Teacher, Advocate.

In Luke’s gospel (9:23), Jesus calls anyone who desires to be His disciples to a state of radical abandonment. True Christianity requires, denial of ourselves, and a daily willingness to do and say the hard things. As Christians we will face hard times, this life is hard and full of trouble. Certainly this is not our best life. We were never promised that every day would be neither prosperous nor easy. Rest assured, if they persecuted Christ they will surely persecute us. As followers of Christ we ought to expect to face many trials and hardships. To follow Christ you must be willing to do and say the hard things.

There are many people who are passionate about Christ but are not truly followers. In John 6, many people flocked to hear Him speak. Thousands came because they wanted something from Jesus, FOOD. The people saw that he could make their life better, fed them and make them feel good. However, Jesus did not come to make your life better. He came to seek, save and call us to abandon our old life. When Jesus called them to eat of his flesh and drink of His blood, they could not take His teachings. They were only interested so long as Jesus did not challenge them.  Jesus made clear that the only way ANYONE could enter heaven is to abandon their life and follow Christ! Because the people saw that Jesus was not going to make them feel comfortable and promise prosperity on earth and freedom from Roman rule they deserted Christ. John 6:66 states: “as a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.” The multitudes were not willing to abide in Christ. They could not understand, or simply refused to understand. The question then remains, Are you willing to become a disciple? Or will you too walk away from Jesus just as the thousands of seekers did? Are you a fan or a follower?

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5(NASB)

What then does it look like to abide daily in Christ?   

v. 1-2:Admiting and Abandonment of Sinful Living

My little children…

John is speaking to the church as those whom he loves dearly. He speaks to the church as a teacher to his beloved disciples, just as Christ spoke to His disciples. Picture an elderly John, roughly 100 years of age, propped up in front of a congregation sharing about his dear friend Jesus.

It makes since for John to view the early Christians as dear children when your nearing the end of your life. John was a man consumed by an unwavering love for Christ. He is known as the beloved disciple. Of all the disciples, John was the only one to follow Jesus to the cross. He never left his side. In addition, John is the only disciple who is not recorded dying a painful death. In fact we have no record of johns death.

That you may not sin…

John is not advocating for sinless perfection, rather he is informing us of the power by which we can overcome sin. John calls us to continually confess our sins . We are not powerless against sin.

If anyone sins…

Through abiding in Christ we are given the power to overcome habitual sin. This is the concept John speaks to in this passage. To John sinful living was not in keeping with abiding in Christ. We are neither who we need to be nor who we ought to be. On the other hand, we are not who we used to be either. When we accept Christ and repeat from sinful living we are set free from the bondage of sin.

If we sin after accepting Christ we do so not out of bondage or compulsion rather as a mistake or an uncharacteristic action. It is not in keeping with our new life. Christians committing sin is much like driving the wrong way down a one way street. You will very quickly catch yourself and repent (turn around ).

Genuine Christianity abandons habitual sin.

1.      Sin is incompatible with the law of God. (LOVE)

2.      Sin is incompatible with the work of Christ.

3.      Sin is incompatible with the work of the Holy Spirit.

We have an advocate…

When we do stumble and fall, as we all do. We are covered in God’s grace because of Jesus Christ. He stands in our defense He knows we are growing in His grace.

Much like a child learning to walk at times they stumble and crawl, but one day they will run. That is not to say that at times they will not fall down. Certainly a child will fall and get hurt; however the parent does not abandon them or give up hope that they will ever walk. So too it is with God. Once we were all helpless we could not roll over on our own. But as our parents held us, moved us and helped us crawl, walk and talk we grew. We saw the looks of joy on their faces when we took our fist steps, the disappointment when we feel and got hurt. But there was something inside of us that drove us to get up again and walk toward the open arms of our parents. It was a love for them.

In the same way, it is the grace of God, who has forgiven our sins and sent His son to become the satisfaction (propitiation) for our sin debt, which affords us the ability to continue to walk toward him. Now as Christians when we sin it is not out of habit but as a temporary lapse back in to our ingrained sinful nature which we now have the power to overcome, through God’s Grace.

v. 3-6 Believing and Becoming  Obedient .

            Know… keep…

These words are repeated often throughout this passage. It would seem that John is implying that the habitual lifestyle of a genuine Christina is obedience. In this one letter John uses know forty times and keep ten times. It is important that you know the will of God and keep his commandments.

            Abide…

John uses this term to refer to salvation. If you remain in Christ, stand steadfast in His Word you will know the will of God and be able to ask anything and know that it will be done for you (jn. 15:7). If you then know God’s will you will strive to keep all of His commands.

            Walk in the same manner as He (Jesus) walked…

 It is impossible to claim to abide in Christ or to be a true Christian without purposing to “walk as He walked”. What does that mean? How does it look to walk like He walked? Jesus walk in  truth, obedience, and love. We are called to love God and love others. Jesus said in John 14:15, “if you love me keep my commands.”

v. 7-14. Commitment to a Lifestyle of Love  (Christ)

            The darkness is passing away… God has called us out of darkness and obscurity. He has reached into the pits of man’s soul and resurrected us to walk in a new life. The Holy spirit is calling us to leave behind our old ways, our habits of shameful sin and idolatry. Serve God alone.

            The True light is already shining…  Jesus Christ is that true light. He is the light of man and in Him there is no darkness at all. He is the light of men. He has come to give of life so that we too can serve as a light to the world, a city on a hill. A beacon, a lighthouse of hope, messengers into the darkness of a sin stained world.

            Abides in the Light… John calls believers to continue steadfast in the light. He urges us to remain grounded in the teachings of Christ and to be imitators of God. Walk as he walked. May you be covered in the dust of your Rabbi.

            The darkness blinded his eyes… As followers of Christ we are given the option to turn a desert Christ. Followers of Christ must be willing to abandon all others and come to Him. We must choose to lay aside our unforgiveness, anger, hurt, and bitterness if we truly desire to serve God. If we say we love God yet hate or hold bitterness toward an individual we walk in darkness.

            We then have been given a choice. Christ Jesus calls to all of us today. He is the Bread of Life. There is no other way to enter heaven except through the power of the blood of Jesus. Unless you are willing to ABIDE daily in Him forsaking all others you cannot be His disciple. He offers forgiveness and the power to overcome the sin that destroys your life. Will you accept it? Or will you turn away? Will you be like one of the thousands who could not accept Jesus or will you be like Peter who when Jesus asked, will you leave also? Peter replied “To whom shall we Go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68,69).

 

Will you choose to accept His terms, admit your sins before Him, and commit to a lifestyle of love and forgiveness? Or will you walk away?

Will you stay locked in chains of unforgivness you hold toward your brothers or sisters or will you set it free today?

Will you follow Christ or will you walk away?