Abiding

1 John 2

9Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.

"Father, just teach me to abide in you! Let me see and long for Your beauty so that the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and the pride in possessions fade away. Let me learn to love well so that darkness does not blind my eyes. You are so faithful, Lord, and I am so fickle. Teach me to walk as You walked and love as you love. Teach me to look to the eternal joy that you have set before me, rather than the cheap, imitation joy that I can make for myself here! I fall at your feet because of your sacrifice. I am amazed that because of You, I can have confidence and not shrink from shame at your coming!"