His Word Today

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.” (I John 2:22-23)

The Scriptures identify a liar (ψεύστης; pseustes) as an individual who, above all else, denies that Jesus is the Christ. The Apostle John goes on to say that whoever does so exists as an antichrist. An antichrist is one who is opposed to Christ and seeks to usurp Christ as Savior and Lord.

What do the antichrist(s) specifically oppose about the person and work of Jesus Christ? Take note of the following biblical truths concerning the identity and work of the sinless, Son of God. I realize that we recently covered these truths, but they are worth examining them once more.

• Jesus Christ is the Sinless, Eternal Son of God – John 1:1-2; Colossians 1:15-18.
• Jesus Christ became man – John 1:14; Romans 1:1-3; Galatians 4:1-4; I John 4:1-2.
• Jesus Christ was born of a virgin – Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38.
• Jesus Christ lived a sinless, righteous life for sinners – I John 1:5; I Timothy 6:13-16; James 1:17; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15.
• Jesus Christ died a substitutionary death on the cross for sinners – Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Romans 5:1-10; Galatians 3:1-14; Philippians 2:5-11.
• Jesus Christ resurrected bodily from the dead – Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-11; I Corinthians 15:1-4; John 2:13-22; 11:25-26; Acts 2:22-36.
• Salvation is solely on the basis of the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ, given by God the Father, through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit by grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. Romans 3:21-26; 5:1-10; Ephesians 2:1-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Zechariah 3:1-5.
• Jesus Christ ascended to God the Father, Acts 1:1-11, and will return in power and glory, Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 19-22.

The apostle continues to say that whoever opposes Jesus Christ is also opposed to God the Father. In other words, a person can’t say they believe in God the Father while at the same time rejecting Jesus Christ as the eternal Son of God.

It is important for us to understand the underlying historical context to these two verses. One commentary explains that, “Of themselves, these verses would counter equally well a non-Christian Jewish opposition and a Corinthian opposition to Christian faith. Compromising the absolute uniqueness of Jesus as the Christ and the only way to the Father would probably permit Jewish believers to remain in the synagogues—thus delivering them from the direct challenge of the imperial cult and threat of persecution. That false prophets would advocate such compromise (cf. 4:1–6) is by no means difficult to conceive; the late-second-century Christian writer Irenaeus also attributed this view to many later Gnostics.”

How does our present culture seek to oppose the uniqueness of Jesus as the Christ and the only way to the Father? How do many churches seek to do the same thing in many cases? We must resolve to affirm the uniqueness of God’s salvation by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!  

²⁰ But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.^[a] 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.” (I John 2:20-21)

During one occasion I had to teach from I John, a friend of mine came up to me to share two thoughts on his heart. First, he thought I was doing a good job in accurately explaining the particular biblical text we had been studying from the epistle. However, the second thought he expressed was a criticism that I had not place enough, or any, emphasis on the person and work of the Holy Spirit.

I John 2:20-21 focuses our attention upon the work of and by the Holy Spirit. In a word, the Spirit’s work is a called an anointing. John says, “But you have been anointed by the Holy One.”

The word “anointed” (χρῖσμα; chrisma) means to assign a person to a task, with the implication of supernatural sanctions, blessing, and endowment—‘to anoint, to assign, and to appoint. A strictly literal rendering of χρίω or χρῖσμα is ‘to pour oil upon.’ However, in place of a literal rendering of χρίω or χρῖσμα, it is often necessary to employ some such expression as ‘to be appointed by God’ or ‘to be given a special task by God.’

This anointing of the individual believer to a particular task by the Holy Spirit is a present and active work based upon a preceding activity by the Spirit at the believer’s conversion. What is foundationally involved in the Holy One’s current anointing of the believer in Christ?

The foundational work by the Holy Spirit, which is reflected in the Spirit’s ongoing anointing of the believer in Christ, is as follows.

• John 3:1-3; Titus 3; I John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:4, 9-10, 18. This is the new birth. It is being born of God.
• I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:4-6. The Spirit’s work of placing the believer into union with Christ.
• Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 6:16; Eph. 2:22. The believer, by the Spirit’s indwelling, becomes a temple of the Holy Spirit.
• Romans 12:6-8; I Corinthians 12:11. Spiritual gifts are God-given abilities for service.
• 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30. Four primary truths are signified by the seal: 1) security (cf. Dan. 6:17; Matt. 27:62–66); 2) authenticity (cf. 1 Kings 21:6–16); 3) ownership (cf. Jer. 32:10); and 4) authority (cf. Est. 8:8–12). The Holy Spirit is given by God as his pledge of the believer’s future inheritance in glory (cf. 2 Cor. 1:21).
• Ephesians 5:18; Colossians 3:16; Galatians 5:22-23. The Spirit’s filling refers to the Holy Spirit controlling the individual. The evidence of the Spirit’s filling is the Fruit of the Spirit.
• I Corinthians 2:1-13. The ability the Spirit gives to each believer in order to comprehend and understand the spiritual implications and meaning of the biblical text.

Dr. John MacArthur explains that, “Two characteristics mark genuine Christians in contrast to the Antichrists. First, the Holy Spirit (“the anointing,” v. 27) guards them from error (cf. Acts 10:38; 2 Cor. 1:21). Christ as the Holy One (Luke 4:34; Acts 3:14) imparts the Holy Spirit as their illuminating guardian from deception. Second, the Holy Spirit guides the believer into knowing “all things” (John 14:26; 16:13). True Christians have a built-in lie detector and persevere in the truth. Those who remain in heresy and apostasy manifest the fact that they were never genuinely born again (cf. 1 John 2:19).”

Take time today thank God for the anointing by the Holy Spirit in your life. What task(s) has God prepared for you to accomplish for His honor and glory. Ask God to reveal what those responsibilities are to you. May each of us be obedient to the Spirit’s calling and direction.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!  

“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.” (I John 2:19)

How does the church identify anyone who is biblically defined as an Antichrist? Synonymous terms include false teachers, deceivers and apostates.

The first characteristic John mentions is that Antichrists depart from the church and refuse to submit to biblical authority.

When John writes, “They went out from us,” he is referring to the Antichrists departure from apostolic and biblical authority. The reason for this departure, the apostle concludes, is that these individuals “were not of us.” In other words, the reason the false teachers depart from the church and refuse to submit to biblical authority is because they were never truly converted. They were wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15-20).

Logically, John concludes, “if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.”

Dr. John MacArthur writes that, “The first characteristic mentioned of antichrists, i.e., false teachers and deceivers (vv. 22–26), is that they depart from the faithful (see vv. 22–23 for the second characteristic and v. 26 for the third). They arise from within the church and depart from true fellowship and lead people out with them. The verse also places emphasis on the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. Those genuinely born again endure in faith and fellowship and the truth (1 Cor. 11:19; 2 Tim. 2:12). The ultimate test of true Christianity is endurance (Mark 13:13; Heb. 3:14). The departure of people from the truth and the church is their unmasking.”

Have you known individuals who professed faith in Jesus Christ only to soon depart not only from the church but also from the faith? I know of some as I’m sure you do as well. I John 2:19 indicates that their behavior evidences their lack of true conversion to Christ.

Believers in Christ need to constantly be on the lookout for those who not only reject apostolic authority but also depart from church due to an un-submissive spirit. They are showing their true colors.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

^“Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that Antichrist is coming, so now many Antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.” (I John 2:18)

As a newly converted Christian in 1974, I became aware of something I never knew existed: Christian books and publishers. Soon after my conversion, I began reading at a voracious level all manner of books about the Christian life.

One of the most popular subjects at that time, and which remains so today, was/is the person of Antichrist. Who is this individual and what does he intend to do? Is he living on earth today and if so, who might he be?

The Antichrist is known in the Scriptures by several different names. He is called the prince who is to come (Daniel 9:24-27), the man of sin (2 Thessalonians 2:1-13), and the beast (Revelation 13:1-10). However, only the Apostle John refers to this individual as the Antichrist ((I John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7) and only in his epistles.

The title “Antichrist” is a compound noun. The noun “Christ” means “anointed one.” The prefix “anti” means to be against or in opposition. Therefore, we can conclude that the Antichrist is a singular individual who is against the person and work of Jesus Christ.

John begins today’s text by informing the believers to whom he is writing that it is the last hour. What does John mean by the phrase “the last hour?” The phrase refers to the period of time between the first coming of Jesus Christ to earth and His second coming. It is also known by the title “the latter days” (Acts 2:16-17; I Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:1; Hebrews 1:1-2; 9:26; I Peter 1:20). The church of Jesus Christ has always existed in this period of time immediately prior to the second coming of Christ.

John continues by saying that these believers have heard that Antichrist is coming. Notice that the noun Antichrist is singular and masculine. The apostle signifies that this singular and male opponent to Jesus Christ is coming. His appearing is going to happen.

However, John also says that presently many Antichrists have come. In contrast to the one Antichrist individual who is yet future, there are many Antichrists who presently exist and who are opposing the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is because of this that John informs his audience that it is the time just prior to the return of Christ.

What do the Antichrist(s) specifically oppose about the person and work of Jesus Christ? Take note of the following biblical truths concerning the identity and work of the sinless, Son of God.

• Jesus Christ is the Sinless, Eternal Son of God – John 1:1-2; Colossians 1:15-18.
• Jesus Christ became man – John 1:14; Romans 1:1-3; Galatians 4:1-4; I John 4:1-2.
• Jesus Christ was born of a virgin – Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38.
• Jesus Christ lived a sinless, righteous life for sinners – I John 1:5; I Timothy 6:13-16; James 1:17; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15.
• Jesus Christ died a substitutionary death on the cross for sinners – Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Romans 5:1-10; Galatians 3:1-14; Philippians 2:5-11.
• Jesus Christ resurrected bodily from the dead – Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-11; I Corinthians 15:1-4; John 2:13-22; 11:25-26; Acts 2:22-36.
• Salvation is solely on the basis of the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ, given by God the Father, through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit by grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. Romans 3:21-26; 5:1-10; Ephesians 2:1-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Zechariah 3:1-5.
• Jesus Christ ascended to God the Father, Acts 1:1-11, and will return in power and glory, Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 19-22.

Take particular and careful attention to those who set themselves as teachers of the Scriptures and what they say regarding the person and work of Jesus Christ. If the deviate from any, or even one, of the previous points they are one of many Antichrists.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

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 of life^[a]—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.” (I John 2:15-17)

The Apostle John gave a simple but significant prescription of what it means to be truly converted: “³ And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. ⁴ Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, ⁵ but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: ⁶ whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”(I John 2:3-6)

I John 2:15 gives the believer in Christ one of God’s commandments: “Do not love the world or the things in the world.” To not love the world is a present, active imperative or command from God. It is also a negative proposition or truth.

To not love the world means that believers in Christ are not to have a self-sacrificial love (ἀγαπᾶτε; agapate) for the world (κόσμος; kosmos). The world, in this context, does not refer to the physical planet as much as it does to the fallen, anti-God system of thought and behavior. However, no one should worship the creation instead of the creator either (Romans 1:18-32).

One commentator explains that, “The world” here means “man, and man’s world”, in his and its state as fallen from God. “God loved [with the love of compassion] the world,” and we should feel the same kind of love for the fallen world; but we are not to love the world with congeniality and sympathy in its alienation from God; we cannot have this latter kind of love for the God-estranged world, and yet have also “the love of the Father in” us.”

Following a general command against loving the world, the apostle then refers to specifics: “or the things in the world.” What are the “things” to which John refers? What does the fallen world honor and worship above everything else, including God? What does the fallen world desire and pursue above everything else, including God. I can think of three things: riches, power and pleasure. These three categories contain many component parts, which are the results of riches, power and pleasure. Riches, power and pleasure are not in and of themselves bad, when framed within the confines of Scripture. However, they can become disastrously deadly and destructive when pursued without thought to the obedience to God.

What is John’s conclusion if any individual, even a professing believer in Christ, continually pursues a love of the world and the things which are in the world? “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

John speaks in basic terms. For him there are no grey areas when it comes to following Christ. You are either in or out. You are either committed to obeying God’s commands as a testimony of your conversion, or you are lying to yourself and to God about your lack of conversion (I John 1:5-7).

John’s statement is framed in his familiar “cause and effect” structure. If this is true, then this is also true. If any professing believer continually loves the fallen world and the things which are in it, the love originating and sourced in God the Father is not within him. This individual is not a child of God.

Each believer struggles with loving the world. However, John is not talking about an occasional temptation to follow the world, but rather a pattern of behavior. Additionally, when the believer in Christ is tempted to love the world, there is a resulting struggle and anguish about this temptation rather than a continual fascination for it.

What three areas of temptation does John mention which seeks to cause individuals to love the world? We will begin to examine them next time. Until then, ask God to reveal to you what it is in this world that you find yourself tempted to love instead of God.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹² I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. ¹³ I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. ¹⁴ I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” (I John 2:12-14)

In what areas of your life in Christ are you like a little child? I have five grandchildren: four on earth and one in heaven. Of the four here on earth, it has been a joy to see them grow from infancy to childhood and for the eldest, to the brink of adolescence. There is an abandon in their displays of affection. The same can be said about when they get frustrated or angry when they do not receive what they want.

Our walk with Christ can often be described as a relationship of a heavenly father to His children. John remarks that he wrote to those in the church who were like little children. John expressed an endearment to those to whom he was writing.

He also confirmed that for those who are infants in Christ, the main and often singular truth they know is that God is their Father and He has forgiven them of their sins. What a wonderful truth to know that we, as God’s children, no longer have to bear our guilt.

In what areas of your life in Christ are you like a young man or woman? This is an individual who is beyond the age of puberty. They are in throngs of intense growth spurts and growing pains. At times, this period of a person’s life can be exciting, challenging and frightening as you are no longer a child, but not quite an adult. Awkward moments may abound. Confidence in one’s abilities may be lacking because you may not be sure what are your talents and inherent abilities.

Our walk with Christ can often be like this. As John writes, these are they who are continuing to overcome the evil one because of the strength within them due to the Word of God. Once a child, they are not maturing into spiritual and godly adulthood.

Our walk with Christ is also like being a father or mother. This is a person who is an elder or older person and a spiritual mentor to those who are younger in the faith: whether those mentored are like children or young adults. We have had those people in our lives when we were younger. Who are we mentoring now that we are older?

The church to whom John wrote was filled with people who were either children, younger adults or older adults in Christ. He also may have been referring to the various stages presently existing within each believer? In other words, in what ways in your walk with Christ are you like a little child, while at the same time you are like a young adult or a mature, elder adult?

The theme verse for this daily blog is 2 Peter 3:18 which says, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”

Let us resolve to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior. May we continue to grow in Christ from childhood to maturity.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!