His Word Today

¹⁸ “Hear then the parable of the sower: ¹⁹ When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. ²⁰ As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, ²¹ yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. ²² As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. ²³ As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” (Matthew 13:18–23 ESV)

Matthew 13:1-52 is a collection of parables of the kingdom of heaven. It is the third major discourse contained in Matthew. It follows the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) and the Commissioning of the Apostles (Matt. 10). It precedes the Childlikeness of the Believer in Christ (Matt. 18) and the Olivet Discourse on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Matt. 24-25).

Matthew 13:1-50 contains seven parables concerning the Kingdom of Heaven. These include the Parable of the Sower (Matt. 13:3-23), the Parable of the Weeds (13:24-30), the Parable of the Mustard Seed (13:31-32), the Parable of the Leaven (13:33), the Parable of the Hidden Treasure (13:44), the Parable of the Pearl of Great Value (13:13:45-46), and the Parable of the Net (13:47-50).

We are presently focused on the Parable of the Sower (Matt. 13:3-9). The Parable of the Sower describes four different soils that receive the seed sown by a sower and four different results. In today’s text, Jesus provides the interpretation of the parable.

“Though this parable is more commonly named after the sower of the seed, the “parable of the soils” is a more fitting title. The role of the sower in the story is important, but the parable’s point is twofold: first, to explain why different soils — different people — respond differently to the Gospel and, second, to invite us to examine ourselves to think about the kind of soil we hope to be,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

Hear then the parable of the sower.” Jesus commanded His audience to pay attention to the meaning of the parable. He wanted them to understand its truthful meaning and application in their lives.

Regarding the first soil (Matt. 13:4), Jesus taught, “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path” (vs. 19).  

With respect to the second soil (Matt. 13:5-6), Jesus explained that “²¹As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, ²¹ yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away” (vs. 20-21).

Concerning the third soil (Matt. 13:7), Jesus taught, “As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful” (vs. 22).

With respect to the fourth soil (Matt. 13:8), Jesus said, “As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty,” (vs. 23).

The first soil represents the antagonistic individual. His heart and soul is hardened to the Gospel that it resists all penetration by the seed, which is the Word of God. The devil and his minions, who were often represented by birds in first-century Jewish literature, devour the truth.

The second and third soils represent positive responses to the Gospel. These involve an initial joy that proves shallow because of persecution, and an ultimate distraction because of the worries or pleasures of everyday life. What seems to be a sincere response ultimately results in apostasy and rejection of the Gospel.

The fourth soil represents the true conversion of an individual by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:1-8; Titus 3:1-5). The proof of a conversion is the resulting spiritual fruit (Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 2:10; James 2:14-26).

“The fourth soil is notably different. This one understands and bears fruit — he accepts and conforms his life to the Gospel (Matt. 13:8–9, 23). The presence of fruit, not its quantity, is what matters,” states Dr. Sproul.

“The fertility of that soil which yields a thirty-fold produce is small compared with that which yields a hundred-fold…[but Jesus] classes together all kinds of soil which do not entirely disappoint the labors and expectations of the husbandman,” explains John Calvin.

 “That which distinguished this good ground from the rest, was, in one word, fruitfulness. He does not say that this good ground has no stones in it, or no thorns; but there were none that prevailed to hinder its fruitfulness,” writes Matthew Henry.

What soil best represents you? I pray it is the fourth for all of us. Have a fruitful day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

³ “And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. ⁴ And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. ⁵ Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, ⁶ but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. ⁷ Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. ⁸ Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. ⁹ He who has ears, let him hear.” (Matthew 13:3–9 ESV)

Matthew 13:1-52 is a collection of parables of the kingdom of heaven. It is the third major discourse contained in Matthew. It follows the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) and the Commissioning of the Apostles (Matt. 10). It precedes the Childlikeness of the Believer in Christ (Matt. 18) and the Olivet Discourse on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Matt. 24-25).

Matthew 13:1-50 contains seven parables concerning the Kingdom of Heaven. These include the Parable of the Sower (Matt. 13:3-23), the Parable of the Weeds (13:24-30), the Parable of the Mustard Seed (13:31-32), the Parable of the Leaven (13:33), the Parable of the Hidden Treasure (13:44), the Parable of the Pearl of Great Value (13:13:45-46), and the Parable of the Net (13:47-50). For the next two days, we will concentrate on the Parable of the Sower.

“A sower went out to sow.”Jesus began this parable with the image of a sower sowing seed. To sow (σπείρω; speiro) means to sow seed over tilled ground.  Matthew does not tell us what kind of seed the sower planted. However, the image was a familiar one for Jesus’ Jewish audience. Agriculture was a key component of the Jewish life and economy. It remains so today.

“Seed was often (though not always) sown before the ground was plowed; it thus commonly befell any of the fates reported here. A farmer could either cast the seed by hand, as probably here, or let it trickle from holes in a sack carried by an animal,” explains commentator Craig Keener.

The seed sown by the sower fell upon four types of ground. This occurred as the sower was sowing the seed. Jesus’ emphasis at this point was not so much upon the sower but rather on the sown seed. The four different types of soli yielded four different results. It was the principle of cause and effect.

^“And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.” The “path” or “road” (ὁδός; hodos) was one of the many footpaths through the field. To devour (κατεσθίω; katesthio) means to utterly destroy and consume. There was no seed remaining after the birds came and ate.

“Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, ⁶ but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away.” Much of the land in Palestine has only a thin layer of soil over rock. Therefore, if the sower had not plowed first, he wasted seed on this depthless soil.

^“Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.” Thorns are literally thorn plants (ἄκανθα; akantha). These were thistles and briers.

“These thistles were probably unseen, too; instead of having been pulled out, they may have just been cut or burned, leaving roots from which thistles could grow with the seed to choke it out,” states Keener.

“Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” The fourth type of soli yielded a bumper crop. The seed became grain because of the good soil. What was the significance of the yield?

“Thirtyfold, sixtyfold and a hundredfold are tremendously good harvests from Galilean soil. The Jordan Valley normally yielded between ten- and a hundredfold, so a hundredfold need not be a miraculous harvest (Gen 26:12; cf. Amos 9:13). But for much of Palestine, the average yield was tenfold (meaning that 10 seeds were harvested for every seed sown), and all the figures Jesus reports here are very good yields,” says Keener.

Jesus then invoked this concluding statement to His audience. “He who has ears, let him hear.” In other words, Jesus wanted the people to understand the significance of what He said. He wanted them to carefully listen.

Matthew records Jesus’ interpretation of this parable in 13:18-23. We will examine this text when next we meet. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. ² And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. ³ And he told them many things in parables, saying,” (Matthew 13:1–3a ESV)

Today, we resume our exegetical study of the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 13:1-52 is a collection of parables of the kingdom of heaven. It is the third major discourse contained in Matthew. It follows the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) and the Commissioning of the Apostles (Matt. 10). It precedes the Childlikeness of the Believer in Christ (Matt. 18) and the Olivet Discourse on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Matt. 24-25).

Matthew 13:1-50 contains seven parables concerning the Kingdom of Heaven. These include the Parable of the Sower (Matt. 13:3-23), the Parable of the Weeds (13:24-30), the Parable of the Mustard Seed (13:31-32), the Parable of the Leaven (13:33), the Parable of the Hidden Treasure (13:44), the Parable of the Pearl of Great Value (13:13:45-46), and the Parable of the Net (13:47-50).

Jesus’ teaching of these particular parables occurred immediately following the context of Matthew 12:9-50. In fact, the content of Matthew 13 occurred later the same day. Jesus went out of His house, presumably in Capernaum, sat down to teach beside the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum is mentioned only in the Gospels. It was the headquarters of much of Jesus’ ministry (Matt. 4:12-16). It lay on the northwest side of the Sea of Galilee (or Lake of Gennesaret). Its name means “village of Nahum.

The text says that great crowds gathered about Him. Therefore, Jesus got into a boat and sat down. There are several reasons for Jesus doing this. First, the northwest coast of the Sea of Galilee has a sloping hill that forms a natural amphitheater. This allowed the people to gather to adequately hear Jesus. Second, by getting into a boat, this allowed the Savior to be distinctly seen by the people. Third, in sitting down Jesus assumed the formal Jewish posture of teaching and instructing (Luke 4:16-21). Conversely, the people stood on the beach to listen.  

The text then says, “And he told them many things in parables, saying.” Parables were a common form of teaching in Judaism. A parable is a long analogy, in the form of a story. Before this point in his ministry, Jesus had employed many analogies (cf. 5:13–16), but their meaning was fairly clear in the context of his teaching.

“Parables required more explanation (cf. 13:36) and Jesus employed them to obscure the truth from unbelievers while making it clearer to his disciples (vv. 11–12),” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

“For the remainder of His Galilean ministry, He did not speak to the multitudes except in parables (v. 34). Jesus’ veiling the truth from unbelievers this way was both an act of judgment and an act of mercy. It was “judgment” because it kept them in the darkness that they loved (cf. John 3:19), but it was “mercy” because they had already rejected the light, so any exposure to more truth would only increase their condemnation.”

Tomorrow, we examine the Parable of the Sower (13:3-9, 18-23). Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

²⁰ But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. ²² And have mercy on those who doubt; ²³ save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” (Jude 20–23 ESV)

An accurate diagnosis is necessary for a correct treatment and prognosis. What is true in the medical field regarding physical health is equally true for spiritual health. A biblical ministry to deconstructionists does not just involve an accurate diagnosis of their spiritual condition. It also involves a corresponding ministry of reaching out to those who have abandoned the faith they once claimed to possess (I Tim. 4-1-2). Additionally, it involves a ministry to ourselves to remain faithful believers in Christ.

The Epistle of Jude provides an accurate diagnosis of the spiritual condition of apostate deconstructionists. What was true in the first century church remains so in the 21^st century believing community. Jude also provides some sound treatment; not only for unbelievers but also for the faithful. The practical principles are found in today’s text.

First, faithful believers are to continue building yourselves up in your most holy faith. Building yourselves up (ἐποικοδομέω; epoikodomeo) is a present active participle. Building ourselves up is to be a daily and active discipline for each believer in Christ. It means to bring something nearer to completion. In the context, this refers to all believers in Christ continuing to grow in their faith (2 Peter 1:3-15; 3:17-18). This is a most holy trust, commitment ,dependence and worship of Christ. It is set apart from sin.

Jude, like Peter (I Peter 2:5) and Paul (I Cor. 3:16-17) compares the church to a building (1 Cor 3:10, 12, 14; Eph 2:20; Col 2:7). Daily meditation in the Scriptures is absolutely necessary to prevent intrusive apostasy in the church; individually and collectively (Psalm 1).

Second, believers in Christ are to be praying in the Holy Spirit. This is a personal, active and collective response to being in the Scriptures ((1 Cor 14:15–16; Eph 6:18). We read the Word of God, meditate upon what we have read and then pray that we would obey the truth we have read (Gal. 5:16-18; Eph. 6:18).

Third, believers are to keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. To keep (τηρέω; tereo) is an active command to be obeyed. It means to watch over, guard and protect. Believes have a responsibility to persevere in the faith and to support others in their perseverance by exhortation and encouragement (Heb. 3:12; 12:12-17). Believers continue to do so while they are waiting for the Lord’s return. Waiting (προσδέχομαι; prosdechomai) means to look forward to and to welcome the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Fourth, as believers in Christ strengthen themselves they will then be prepared to have mercy on those who doubt. To have mercy (ἐλεάω; eleao) means to presently, actively and obediently have pity and compassion on those who doubt (διακρίνω; diakrino).  These are they who personally and presently no longer trust in, commit to, depend upon and worship the Lord.

Additionally, stronger measures may be required in ministering to other deconstructionists. Believers in Christ are to save others by snatching them out of the fire. When a house is on fire you don’t take time to explain to someone in a burning building why they need to evacuate the premises. If they are unwilling to leave their home or apartment, you pick them up and get them out of harm’s way. Time is of the essence.

“Others, who are committed to the errors taught by the apostates, need immediate and forthright attention before they are further entrenched on the road to the fire of hell (cf. v. 7) as a result of embracing deceptive lies,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

“Christians must keep each other in the love of God through mercifully encouraging the doubting (vs. 22) and snatching the disobedient from sin’s destructive fires (vs. 23),” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.  

Finally, to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Believers in Christ are to show unmerited favor to apostates, but with great caution. Sometimes in ministering to deconstructionists, our faith becomes adversely deconstructed.

“These people are to be given the true gospel, but with great fear, lest the deliverer be contaminated also. The defiled garment pictures the apostate’s debauched life, which can spread its contagion to the well-meaning evangelist,” states MacArthur.

Consider the words of the Apostle Paul from Colossians 3:12-14 in seeking deconstructionists. ¹² Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, ¹³ bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴ And above all these put-on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”  

May the Lord use us to minister and love the deconstructionists in our lives. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

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!

²⁰ But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 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 2:20–23 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). Again, John identifies such an individual as an antichrist. Even if they acknowledge their belief in the existence of God, this is refuted by their rejection of Christ. To deny Jesus Christ’s incarnation is to deny God the Father, and to deny the Holy Spirit. To confess one is to affirm all three members of the Godhead. The Father, Son and Spirit can be distinguished in their work, but not in the personhood and unity to each other.

“The particular denial in view here is not just a denial that Jesus is the Messiah but a denial of the incarnation. Confession of the incarnation is essential to orthodoxy and a vital way by which we are assured of salvation (I John 1:1–4). The false teachers John has in mind probably accepted the view of a heretic named Cerinthus who called Jesus “the Christ” but who denied the apostolic definition of the title. Instead of viewing the Christ as the eternal Son of God who became incarnate, these heretics said that Jesus remained a mere man His entire life, only possessing the “spirit of Christ,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

“Today many people are willing to call Jesus “the Christ,” but they deny His incarnation. Muslims, for example, accept Jesus as the Messiah but deny this means He is the incarnate Son of God. However, 2:23 reminds us that if we call Jesus “the Christ,” but do not accept the apostolic testimony about His person, we have in reality denied Him and His Father as well.”

John Calvin wrote, “it is not enough in words to confess that Jesus is the Christ, except he is acknowledged to be such as the Father offers him to us in the gospel.”

We must never compromise the biblical identity of Jesus Christ. He is truly God, truly man. He was virgin born, lived a sinless life, died a substitutionary death on the cross in place of sinners, and bodily rose from the dead. He is Lord. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹⁸ “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. ¹⁹ 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.” (1 John 2:18–19 (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.

They went out from us, but they were not of us. It is because the individuals John has in mind are opposed to the Gospel, the resulting effect is that they have left biblical Christianity. Leaving the faith, along with fellowship of the church, indicates their true, spiritual condition. They did not truly belong to Christ.

For if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. Likewise, had these I question remained in the faith, and the church, they would have revealed their true conversion in Christ. They would have persevered, in spite of difficulties, struggles and offenses.

All true believers in Christ encounter struggles in the walk with Christ (John 16:33; I Peter 1:1-9). The evidence distinguishing a true believer in Christ, from a pretender, is that a true believer will persevere in the Christian faith. Difficulties, struggles and persecution are not unusual or to be unexpected for believers in Christ.  However, the true believer will not defect from the faith by difficulties, but rather grow stronger because of difficulties.

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ² Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴ and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ⁵ and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:1–5 ESV)

But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. The departure of people from the truth and the church unmasks their true identity. No amount of sentimentality can disguise the nature of apostates and their apostasy.

“The first characteristic mentioned of antichrists, i.e., false teachers and deceivers (vv. 22–26), is that they depart from the 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),” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

What struggles have you encountered and endured as a Christian? Your endurance is an evidence of your true conversion to Christ. Therefore, we can rejoice in our tribulations. Take time to do so today.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹⁸ 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. ¹⁹ 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.” (1 John 2:18–19 ESV)

“What is a Christian? A Christian is a disciple of Jesus Christ, and a disciple of Jesus Christ is a follower of Jesus Christ. A follower of Jesus Christ is an active worshiper of Jesus Christ as a part of His community in a local gathering of fellow disciples of Jesus Christ,” explains Pastor Burk Parsons

There have been several qualifications for Christianity within the contemporary church. These include social Christianity, moralistic Christianity, charismatic Christianity, liturgical Christianity, seeker-sensitive Christianity, and even carnal Christianity. Modern man has qualified the Christian faith in various ways to express a particular philosophy and emphasis of ministry. Added to the list is deconstructionist Christianity.

Is it biblically accurate to say that an individual who rejects faith in Jesus Christ, fellowship in the church and any and all values and ethics associated with Christianity is a Christian? Or, have they lost their salvation following their deconstruction? What is the biblical answer?

Today’s text provides an explanation for the quandary that is deconstructionism. The Apostle John set forth the principle that individuals who professed faith in Christ, but left the Christian faith, never truly possessed faith in Christ.  

Today’s text begins with the phrase Children, it is the last hour. John is writing to true believers. He states that the time they were living in was the last hour. The last hour is a recurring phrase in the New Testament (NT). Along with the latter days or last days, these terms refer to the period of time between the first and second advent of Jesus Christ (I Tim. 4:1; James 5:3; I Peter 4:7; 2 Peter 3:3; Jude 18).

John describes a particular characteristic of the latter days. It will be a period of time filled with antichrists. Not only will the antichrist be coming, but many antichrists have come. This is the first occurrence of the title “antichrist.” It is found only in John’s epistles (4:3; 2 John 7).

John used it to refer to the coming final world ruler Satan empowers. He will oppose and seek to replace the true Christ (Dan. 8:9–11; 11:31–38; 12:11; Matt. 24:15; 2 Thess. 2:1–12; Rev. 13:1–5; 19:20). Antichrists refers to many individuals. John used the plural noun form to identify and characterize the false teachers who were troubling churches with their false doctrine. They distorted the truth and opposed Christ (Matt. 24:24; Mark 13:22; Acts 20:28–30).

Antichrist(s) means a principle of evil, incarnated in men. They are hostile, and opposed, to God (cf. 2 Cor. 10:4–5). John writes to expose the false teachers, the wolves in sheep’s clothing, who purvey damning lies (cf. Eph. 5:11).  

Opposition to the Gospel and to Christianity is the first characteristic of those deconstructing Christianity. They once professed to be followers of Christ. They pastored large churches, produced popular Christian music and wrote bestselling Christian books. Yet they ultimately rejected, and are opposed to, the faith they once professed. This is a characteristic of the latter days. It is a characteristic of our own day.

“Just as Jesus called His first disciples to follow Him, so every Christian is called to discipleship. And discipleship is a life, not a program in the church or being busily engaged in church activities and duties,” explains Parsons.

Do you know anyone who once followed Christ but rejected the faith they once professed? It is painful to watch individuals, who once served the Lord alongside you, not only reject the Lord but also reject you. My heart is burdened in prayer for these who still need Christ.

Soli deo Gloria!

³ Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. ⁴ For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (Jude 3-4 ESV)

In examining the topic of faith deconstruction, the answers as to the who, how, when, where and why of this spiritual condition must come from Scripture. Not everyone will agree with what Scripture says, but it remains the Lord’s inerrant revelation of Himself (Psalm 19; Psalm 119; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). The Bible is the preeminent source for answers to this situation.

Related to Christian deconstruction is the subject of apostasy. The Epistle of Jude is the only New Testament (NT) book exclusively and extensively addressing apostasy. Apostasy is a defection from true, biblical faith (Jude 3-4). Apostates are those individuals who defect from biblical truth (2 Thess. 2:10; Heb. 10:29; 2 Peter 2:1-22; I John 2:18-23).

Jude wrote this epistle to not only condemn apostates and apostasy but also to urge true believers in Christ to earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 3). Jude called for a vigorous and rigorous defense of biblical truth.

In today’s postmodern age of tolerance of anything and everything, even by many in the church, the Epistle of Jude is certainly counter-cultural. Where some individuals reject biblical fellowship and embrace anti-authoritarianism, Jude places stresses the importance of propositional truth as the foundation for true, biblical fellowship.

Granted, not all churches are biblically sound and healthy. Not all pastors are biblically grounded in God’s Word. Spiritual abuse has, and does, occur in the name of Christ. My wife and I have been the recipients of such abuse, as have many others. However, deconstruction from Christianity and God’s Word was never an option.

Jude is not alone in his condemnation of apostasy and apostates. Others who parallel Jude’s warnings include the Lord Jesus (Matt. 7:15; 16:6-12; 24:11; Rev. 2-3), the Apostle Paul (Acts 20:29-30; I Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 4:1-4), the Apostle Peter (2 Peter 2:1-2; 3:1-4), and the Apostle John (I John 4:1-6; 2 John 6-11).  

Jude also vividly described the apostates in terms of their character and unconscionable activities (vv. 4, 8, 10, 16, 18–19). Additionally, he borrowed from nature to illustrate the futility of their teaching (vv. 12–13). While Jude never commented on the specific content of their false teaching, it was enough to demonstrate that their degenerate personal lives and fruitless ministries betrayed their attempts to teach error as though it were truth. This emphasis on character repeats the constant theme regarding false teachers—their personal corruption. While their teaching is clever, subtle, deceptive, enticing, and delivered in myriads of forms, the common way to recognize them is to look behind their false spiritual fronts and see their wicked lives (2 Pet. 2:10, 12, 18–19),” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

What is the spiritual condition of deconstructionists? Are the wayward brothers and sisters in Christ? Have they lost their salvation because of their spiritual deconstruction? We will seek to answer these questions next time. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

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