Continuing our walk through the Epistle, 1 John, we pick up at verse 2 of Chapter 4. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle writes:
“This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.” 1 John 4:2-3
In the preceding verse, (4:1),John had written that “we must not believe every spirit but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” He is talking about spiritual leaders and teachers. In today’s scripture he is saying, “this is how you recognize the Spirit of God.” The test is simple. Listen to what they have to say about Christ Jesus. If they are not teaching grace through Christ; if they are not teaching faith in Christ as the Redeemer and Savior, (“for by grace you are saved, through faith -and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God – not of works lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2: 8-9); if they are not teaching that Jesus is the gift of love from our Heavenly Father to provide the Way back to Him to live as His children, (“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”John 3:16) ; if they are not teaching love as the way to live in this journey, they are not speaking for God, and their message is not from God. Their message is from the antichrist, the evil one who is using them.
John has already addressed antichrists in this letter, those who teach religion without Christ, and are trying to lead the children astray,( 2:18-27) and he once again points out the spirit of the antichrist is at work in the world.
Just as Christ will come again in person when the time has come, so also will the antichrist come in person when the time has come. The antichrist will epitomize all that is evil. He will be the great deceiver, and those who do not know Christ Jesus will follow him because he will show great power, and sound wonderful to innocent ears. But his end is destruction, and those who follow him knowingly or unknowingly will be led to destruction as well. That is his goal. God loves us and wants to save us, – the evil one hates us and wants to destroy us. Let us not be led astray by his lies, and deception as he uses his spirit in mankind to lead the children into darkness in the here and now.
Let us acknowledge that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh to set us free from sin and death. Let us rejoice in that truth as we walk in it. If someone is unsure of their relationship with God, I pray that today, even now, they ask Jesus into their lives as Lord and Savior, and record the date for any questions later. Whosoever believes in Him shall be able to recognize the Spirit of God, because the Truth living in us will show us truth through His love and grace.
Let us take comfort in, and be encouraged by His living Word. In it we shall never be led astray by the spirit of the deceiver as we look to the Holy Spirit to shine His light of love upon it, as we listen to Him.
My Friends, may you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18) Blessings and Love in Him to you all.
Poppa B
Abundant Life Christian Fellowship, On line