24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. 26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.” (1 John 2:24–26 ESV)
The Apostle John identified individuals who presently oppose biblical Christianity, although they previously professed faith in Christ, as antichrists. This may seem to be a harsh diagnosis. Truth often is difficult to bear, but it is absolutely necessary to bring clarity and hopeful healing to the individual in question. This is true when the diagnosis is cancer of the body, or the spiritual condition of the soul.
The first characteristic of deconstructionists is that they depart from the faith and fellowship of other believers in Christ (I John 2:18-19). In spite of what they may have previously preached, sung, or wrote, their actions reveal their true spiritual condition before the Lord and the truly converted in Christ.
The second characteristic of deconstructionists is their denial of Jesus Christ as the incarnate Savior and Lord. This reveals their lying spirit and unconverted soul (John 8:44).
The third and final characteristic the Apostle John reveals about the character and behavior of deconstructionists is that they try to deceive true believers in Christ. The biblical truth deconstructionists once professed, and now reject, they want true believers in Christ to reject.
The word deceive (πλανάω; planao) means to lead someone astray from the truth. It means to stray from what is right; either physically, ethically or spiritually.
There was a young man in our church’s youth who was intelligent and self-confident. He professed faith in Christ. He was a leader. However, there always seemed to be a rebellious edge to him. Any authority, including his parents, church leadership, or school leadership was met with questioning objections. When he enrolled in college, he was confident that he could convince the college’s administration what classes he would take for his degree. He lasted one semester. His philosophy was he was going to do what he wanted to do, and no one was going to tell him differently.
As an adult, he rejected his professed faith in Christ and identified himself as an atheist. Not content to follow this path alone, he began to hold small group meetings in order to convince attendees that they should become free thinking atheists also. He embodied the content of I Peter 4:1-4.
“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;” (1 Peter 4:1–4 ESV)
Abiding in Christ, or persevering in one’s faith in Christ, is a fundamental characteristic of true believers (John 15:1-11). Failure to abide, and seeking to influence others to reject their faith in Christ is a character trait of the unconverted. There is no middle ground. How do believers in Christ prevent straying from the truth? I John 4:1-4 provides an answer.
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. 4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:1–4 ESV)
First John 2:24–25 emphasizes the active role that we are to take in our perseverance. Verse 24 tells us we must let what we have heard from the beginning abide in us. It would be easy for us to become passive in our sanctification because of the words of assurance given by the apostle (2:12–14, 21). Being a faithful pastor, John knew true assurance must result in the passionate pursuit of truth and holiness,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
“We have already seen this teaching in places like James 2:14–26 and 3:13 as well as 1 Peter 1:13–16 and 2 Peter 1:3–11. John emphasizes the importance of right doctrine today while these other passages focus more on right living. However, all students of the Bible know that while we may distinguish these things for the purpose of instruction, true doctrine and right living are inseparable.”
How may persevering believers in Christ minister to deconstructionists? Rather than passively defend the Christian faith, how may we actively share our faith in Christ to those who have rejected Christ? This is what we will biblically consider next time.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 