Through-out this letter, John refers lovingly to his audience as "little children." This book records the loving teaching of a father in the faith to those who were his children in the faith. One of the things that children need to learn as they grow up is how to tell time. John sought to teach his spiritual children how to tell time. ln 1 John 2:18, he wrote, "Little children, it is the last time."
There's a sense in which the last time began in the days of John and has been growing in intensity until now. We've been in the last time since the time of our Lord's first advent. The Bible indicates that toward the close of the age there will be latter days of increased difficulty and turmoil, In 2 Timothy 3:1, the Bible says, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come."
A farmer who went to bed one night had something go wrong with the grandfather clock. At midnight, it went off fourteen times! He jumped up and said to his wife, "Get up Nellie, it's later than it's ever been before!" I think John would say the same thing of our day should he be alive now. It's later than it's ever been before!
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The Bible says that among the many things will characterize the last days will be the fact that some who profess faith in Christ will turn from the faith they profess. Jesus spoke in the parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24-30) of the fact that there'll be those who truly possess salvation and those who merely profess salvation. John says that as we progress toward the end of this present age, we will see more and more, a separation between those who are truly saved and those who are not. Notice the sharp distinction between "they" and "us." John is talking about those who go away and those who remain. Three crucial things are said here about these "unbelieving believers."
1. They Deny The Christ - vs. 18; 22-23
John says that one day, the ultimate manifestation of rebellion against God in human form, the Antichrist, will appear. Paul spoke of this (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12), as did Jesus (Matthew 24:15). But even though he may not yet be on the world scene, John clearly tells us the spirit of Antichrist is already at work (vs. 22-23).
What's the spirit of Antichrist? Refusal to acknowledge Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah, the One and Only way of eternal salvation.
Since such an opinion prevails in society (and always will until Jesus comes), we shouldn't be surprised that some who deny Jesus as being the One and Only way of eternal salvation have found their way into the membership of our churches. How does this happen?
A. We make false assumptions -
It's never safe to assume! Especially about another's salvation! Churches have assumed that folks coming from another church have a proper understanding of salvation, when such may not be the case!
B. We don't preach repentance -
In Mark 1:15, we read the first recorded words of Jesus: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the Gospel." To repent means to "turn around." If one is to be saved, he or she must turn around from trusting in self and living for sin, to trusting in and living for the Savior. But in too many churches, preaching has become positive to the point of excluding the need to acknowledge one's sin and repent. Consequently we have people come into the membership who are not truly saved!
"The scriptural emphasis is 'repent and believe.' First, there has to be repentance, then belief. But much modern evangelism stresses the fact that 'all you have to do is believe!' with no reference to repentance. This one-sided appeal may be made in honest ignorance, or it may be made to make it attractive, thereby to increase the number of those coming forward. But if there is no repentance then my involvement with the Lord is: Jesus ALSO. I add him to the other sources of excitement in my life. I go on a Jesus high. But if there is this act of repentance, then it is not Jesus ALSO, but Jesus ONLY!" (No Shining Splendor, John E. Hunter)
C. We have become "practicing universalists" -
We say we believe people without Jesus are eternally lost, but statistics reveal 95% of us have never led another person to Jesus!
The prevailing practice of believers today reveals that the prevailing perspective among them is that people don't really need Jesus as Savior! When this is the case, then it creates an atmosphere within the church which allows people to become members without our making too much of a "big deal" about their salvation, and as a result, many slip in who aren't really saved!
2. They Desert The Church - v. 19 This desertion can take 3 forms -
A. Physical Desertion - Those affiliated with the church yet don't come any more. Being part of the membership doesn't mean one is part of the fellowship!
B. Moral Desertion - Some live apart from the discipline of the church and their life becomes a contradiction of all the church stands for.
Is it possible for a person to truly be saved and consistently stand on the side of unrighteousness? (1 John 2:29) Is it possible for a person to be truly saved and consistently stand on the side of impurity? (1 John 3:3) Is it possible for a person to be truly saved and not progress toward Christ-likeness? (1 John 2:6)
One cannot run with the Devil in this life and expect to reign with Jesus in the next life!
C. Intellectual Desertion - Some claimed at one time to know the Lord and believe the essential doctrines of the faith. But over time,
they've come to deny the fundamentals of the faith and yet remain in the church. This is particularly troubling when this person is in a position of leadership among God's people.
3. They Deceive The Christian - vs. 24-27
Since this is the case, how can the believer keep himself from being confused by false teaching?
A. Walk in the Word - v. 24
The Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who is not.
"The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward." - Psalm 19:7-11 (NIV)
Be like the Bereans and examine the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so (Acts 17:11).
B. Walk in the Spirit -v. 26-27
The Holy Spirit within you will keep you from error and lead you into truth (John 16:13).
A new convert once heard a message delivered by a false teacher. He was telling an older believer about what he had heard. The older believer asked them what they thought about what they had heard. They replied, "Well, all the time I listened, a voice seemed to be speaking within me saying 'liar, liar, liar.'" That voice was the voice of the Holy Spirit, who will also alert you to false teaching as you walk with God and respond His voice.
Conclusion:
A young man had just graduated from law school and had set up an office, proudly displaying his shingle out front. On his first day at work, as he sat at his desk with his door open, he wondered how to get his first client. Then he heard footsteps coming down the long corridor toward his office.
Not wanting the potential client to think he'd be his first, he picked up the telephone and began to talk loudly to a make believe caller. "Oh, yes sir," the young lawyer exclaimed into the phone, "I'm very experienced in-corporate law. Courtroom experience? Why, yes, I've had several cases." The sound of steps drew closer to his open door. H continued, "Expensive? Oh, no sir, I'm very reasonable. I'm told my rates are among the lowest in town."
The young lawyer then excused himself from his "conversation" and covered the phone to respond to the prospective client who was now standing in the doorway. With his most confident voice he said, "May I help you?" "Yes you can." the man said. "I'm with the telephone company and I've come to hook up your phone."
One day, each man will stand before Christ and the truth of their profession will be revealed! In light of this truth, what should we do?
A. Determine the certainty of your salvation.
B. Determine the certainty of salvation of others.
