REAL SUPER CHRISTIANITY
Opening Prayer
Father, thank you for speaking to me through your Word. Help me to listen with my mind and heart; use it to make me a better witness for you.
Read 1 JOHN 2:18–27
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Warnings Against Denying the Son
18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.
20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.[a] 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life.
26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
Footnotes
- 1 John 2:20 Some manuscripts and you know all things
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Consider for a moment why the enemy of God would want to bring tension and division to a local church. What damage can it do to the people of the church and the people of the area?The history of the church is littered with disputes and divisions. Many whole denominations have resulted from church splits. It is clear why the enemy would like to multiply this kind of damage. However, it can be challenging to keep a clear perspective when you are in the middle of a local situation.
A group had left the church that John was writing to in this letter. They had not departed because of a personality clash or a preference for different worship music. They believed they had asuperior spirituality and a higher grasp of truth. They denied the Trinity, rejected the Son, and undermined the reality of eternal life itself (vv. 20–23).
So, John wrote to the remaining group to reassure them that they had the truth and the Spirit of God living in them (v. 20). This anointing meant they did not need the ‘super-spiritual’ teaching of the group that had left. If there is a super anything in Christianity, then it is the presence of the Holy Spirit whom every true believer in Jesus already has to help them abide in Christ (vv. 24–27).
Apply
What course can you take if you have concern about someone turning from God’s truth in your Christian community?
Closing prayer
Lord God, protect my church from division. Give each of its believers the assurance that comes from having your Spirit living in them. Help us all to grow together in ways that speak truth and bring you glory.
Book and Author Intros
Extras
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