And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 1 John 1.28

The “fix-it” fixation
We do not like things to be broken. If something goes wrong or doesn’t seem right to us, then we want it to be fixed, set right, repaired.

In fact, when anything goes wrong, we almost always will try to fix it. We’re “fixed” on fixing things as the solution to all our ills. And when we can’t figure out how to “fix it,” then we’re left befuddled, upset, and perhaps looking for someone to blame.

At such times we need to recognize that we’ve entered into some period of trial and begin groping our way toward the Lord’s rest. This is what the people John was writing to were trying to do. They had a problem and they didn’t know how to fix it. So they turned to the Apostle for help in being restored to the Lord’s rest.

The problem
What was the problem these people were trying to fix? Apparently, quite out of the blue, certain members of their fellowship had become disgruntled and simply left (1 Jn. 2.18, 19). Their doing so seems to have thrown the rest of this congregation into something of a tailspin. People probably started blaming one another, which provoked the defense, “It’s not my fault! I didn’t do anything wrong.” John counseled against ever thinking that we’re without sin at any moment in our lives (1 Jn. 2.8-10). We should always be ready to accept the possibility that we may be cause of our own sufferings.

But we don’t have to defend ourselves, John reminded them. We have an Advocate Who knows how to intercede for us (1 Jn. 2.1-3). In His love we can, as needed, confess our sins, repent, and move on.

Instead of blaming one another we need to help one another keep focused on Jesus and following along the path He has marked out for us in His Law (1 Jn. 2.3-8). This is the way of love, and love, not hand-wringing or blame-laying, is the way Christ wants us to live (1 Jn. 2.9-11).

Perhaps those who left took a fair amount of material resources with them? Maybe they were “big givers” and the congregation didn’t know how they’d make it without their support. John warns his readers not to love the things of this world, but to focus on the Lord and increase love for Him (1 Jn. 2.15-17).

The problem this church was facing couldn’t be fixed, either by laying blame, changing course, or trying to persuade those who had left to come back. So what should they do? How could they get over this disruption – this trial – and recover the rest of God which was evidently eluding them?

This way to rest
John’s advice to this congregation was not that they should keep trying to fix their problem, but that they should abide in the Lord (1 Jn. 2.28). They would get through this muddle and renew the assurance and strength in the Lord John knew they possessed (1 Jn. 2.12-14), but the way to that rest would be through abiding in the Lord.

What did John have in mind?

First, we are abiding in the Lord when we continually focus on our beginning in Him (1 Jn. 3.11-24). Remember that you belong to the Lord, that He has died for you, and that even though the world may hate you, His love for you remains unchanged. The trials we endure should confirm the fact that we belong to Him Who promised in this world we would have tribulation (1 Jn. 3.13-16).

It’s good to review the Lord’s good work in our lives, all the glorious details of how Jesus chose us, died for us, rose again for us, and, in His good way and time, brought us to Himself and has blessed us.

Second, we abide in the Lord when strain toward the end of our salvation (1 Jn. 3.1-3). Our focusing on the Lord must be not only on what He has done for us, but what He is preparing for us even now, and what we will know and enjoy when finally we see Him face to face. We should rejoice in the Lord’s coming again, and encourage one another with all the prospects of completion, joy, and blessing His coming will include (1 Thess. 4.13-18).

Finally, we abide in the Lord, and may expect to know His rest, as we stay the course of love, which is His good and perfect will for us in all things, at all times (1 Jn. 4.7-21). Love is the way to overcome whatever the world might throw at us, or whatever we might stumble into ourselves (1 Jn. 5.1-5). Love is the fulfilling of the commandments, the realization of Christ’s presence, and the good work that overcomes every evil (Rom. 12.21).

We can’t fix everything, and even for the things we can fix, we need to learn the discipline of abiding in the Lord while we do. Because no matter how long it takes to fix things, or even if they can’t be fixed at all, abiding in the Lord together will enable us to know and enjoy His rest, come what may.

Next steps: How can believers help one another abide in the Lord? Talk with some Christian friends about this question.

T. M. Moore

This week’s study, Provisional Disciplines, is part 7 of a 7-part series on The Disciplined Life, and is available as a free download by clicking here. We have prepared a special worksheet to help you begin getting your disciplines in proper shape for seeking the Kingdom. Write to T. M. at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for your free PDF of the “Disciplined Life Worksheet.”

A rightly-disciplined life requires a Kingdom vision, and that vision is centered on Jesus Christ exalted. T. M. has prepared a series of meditations on the glorious vision of Christ, based on Scripture and insights from the Celtic Christian tradition. Order your copy of Be Thou My Vision by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.