We Must Abide in the Truth

Truth vs Error

From encouraging the Truth, John now shifts to Opposing Error. The key word here is deceiver. A deceiver is more than just a false teacher of doctrine, but it also means a n encourage of false living. What we believe determines how we behave.

Where did these deceivers come from? From out of the Church.

1 John 2:19 KJV 1900

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

Acts 20:30 KJV 1900

Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

It takes constant vigilance to protect a family and a local church from the wolves of false teachers.

“If i took my eye off the church for 24 hours, it would be invaded.”

Why? Because they are wolves in sheeps clothings, their years spent in church taught them the culture of the church and now that use that culture as a camouflage to get close to you.

Also note that there are MANY false teachers.

There deceivers are also “antichrists”.

1 John 2:18–19 KJV 1900

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

The greek prefix anti - means against. anti - biotic.

Theses false teachers are against Jesus because they deny the truth about Jesus. What is the truth about Jesus? That Jesus Christ is God.

These Antichrists are many and everywhere. Their books are on sale at CUM, their teachings are on the Radio and their sermons are on the TV.

This is why we must test the Spirits.

1 John 4:1–5 KJV 1900

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

If you ever find yourself at a church as a guest or whatever - you go up to that pastor and you polity ask him 2 questions: Do you believe in the Virgin Birth and do you believe that Jesus Christ is God? Any hesitation with his answer and you walk out and kick the dust of your feet.

False Teachers and deceivers got that way because they chose not to abide in the truth.

To abide in the Truth means to remain true to the Basic Doctrines of the Christian Faith. John points out the dangers of failing to abide, the danger of falling back and running forward.

The Danger of Going Back

2 John 8 KJV 1900

Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

False teaching offer you something you dont have, but in reality that just take something you do have.

Satan is a thief and so are his helpers. True Teachers want you to receive a full reward, false teachers want to steal your reward.

False teachers claim ti have some hidden knowledge that when you receive it will elevate you, but they have no hidden secret except their lies and deceit and by the time you realise they they have nothing good to offer you have already lost that which you once had.

As a Christian you has the blessed Assurance of heaven., If you were to trade that for the “truth” of JW, you will lose that and have to try and earn a spot among 144 000.

As a Christian you are blessed with God love for you. If you were to trade that for the “truth” of the mormon, you would loose that you would need to work to earn God’s love.

No other religion can compare to the truth about Jesus and to forsake Christianity and follow any other would be to loose all that you had.

The Danger Of Going Ahead

2 John 9 KJV 1900

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

The Danger here is the word Transgress. Its where we get the word Trespass. It means to go beyond the boundary or assigned limits.

If Christian sects are in danger of going back then progressive churches are in danger of going ahead.

Progress is just another name for apostasy.

Examples of these are the churches who get their morality not from the bible (which they see as old fashioned) but from the culture around them.

So they are fine with abortion, homosexuality, fornication, socialism and many other things that the bible forbids us to do.

1 Corinthians 6:9–10 KJV 1900

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

They do not behave like preachers of righteousness. They are more like rock-stars and things that fashion matter more than faith.

To them image means more that humility.

Before you sit under any pastor ask him his opinion on this that the Bible says are sinful: Fornication, abortion, and homosexuality. Any hesitation and you are in a progressive church which is not progressive at all but regressive,.

The Danger of Going With

We must be very careful of agreeing or giving approval to false teachers who lie about Jesus.

Deceivers will often use your credibility to their advantage, “Oh yes i know bill, we had some coffee together and had a wonderful chat.

Do not sit with them, walk with them or stand with them. Do not even say good-bye to them Which means God Be With You.

Why would you bless a deceiver with God Be With You?

Be careful who you fellowship with.

1 Corinthians 15:33 KJV 1900

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

John went to the bath. saw Cerinthus, sect - ran away least the building fall down as a judgment of God.

Hold the truth.