21 “I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.” (1 John 2:21–23 ESV)
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.” (1 John 4:1–3 ESV)
Marty Sampson was an evangelical worship leader and composer. Following several years of ministry, Mr. Sampson began deconstructing his faith in Christ. He recently wrote, “I just don’t have any real faith in this Jesus bloke, but I can write a good love song with the best of them and that’s been the secret to my success.”
This begs the question of how anyone can be certain if an individual is a believer in Jesus Christ or not. People often make professions of knowing Christ.. They may even be involved in full-time ministry, and successfully so. Is there any objective standard by which to be certain an individual’s profession of faith reveals a true possession of faith in Christ? Today’s text provides an answer drawn from the objective truth of God’s Word.
The Apostle John warned his readers to not believe every spirit. This present, active command focused on never putting one’s trust, dependence, commitment and honor in just any individual. Rather, the apostle commanded believers in Christ to test (δοκιμάζω; dokimazo) or examine religious teachers to see whether they were from God. John’s concern was born out of the reality of many false prophets in the world.
John then provides a definitive statement on how to recognize a false prophet or teacher. He writes, “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.”
To confess (ὁμολογέω; homologeo) means, in this context, to presently and actively acknowledge and agree that Jesus Christ is Immanuel; the eternal God/Man. He is God with us. Several ancient and recent creeds affirm this truth. One such creedal statement is the recent Ligonier Statement on Christology entitled The Word Made Flesh.
We confess the mystery and wonder
of God made flesh
and rejoice in our great salvation
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
With the Father and the Holy Spirit,
the Son created all things,
sustains all things,
and makes all things new.
Truly God,
He became truly man,
two natures in one person.
He was born of the Virgin Mary
and lived among us.
Crucified, dead, and buried,
He rose on the third day,
ascended to heaven,
and will come again
in glory and judgment.
For us,
He kept the Law,
atoned for sin,
and satisfied God’s wrath.
He took our filthy rags
and gave us
His righteous robe.
He is our Prophet, Priest, and King,
building His church,
interceding for us,
and reigning over all things.
Jesus Christ is Lord;
we praise His holy Name forever.
Amen.
Whatever material success an individual may derive from serving the Lord in full-time ministry, Jesus Christ is not just a “bloke” by which we can make a comfortable living. He is not the means to materialistic prosperity. To think otherwise is to be, what John referred to, as an antichrist. An antichrist (ἀντίχριστος; antichristos) is an enemy of Jesus Christ.
“The gospel the New Testament teaches holds forth this truth: Jesus Christ, fully God, became man for our salvation, died for our sins, and was raised from the dead. Believe this and you will be saved,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
May grace, peace and truth be found here. Have a blessed day.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 