FAITH OR FAKE?

Introduction

Do not miss Johns progressive urgency as we approach the end of chapter 2. Verse 28 speaks to a promised time of Jesus’ return. Only those who have confessed true repentance and faith in Jesus alone will stand with confidence of being with Him.

However, John speaks to a tragic reality that not all who are among the body of believers within the church are NOT a people of REAL FAITH, but rather have embraced a FAKE form of religion.

My desire for you today is to answer one question: Am I faking it or am I living with real faith in Jesus Christ?

Let us allow the inspired words of God guide us to coming to honest conclusion of who we are RIGHT NOW!

1) A Religious Production

A. Who are they?

John speaks of two different people groups: “they” & “us”

Let us first unpack the “they” group

These were people within the body of believers but WERE NOT OF THEM.

John describes them as being “antichrist.”

Not “the antichrist” but those who are appose Jesus.

John was dealing with false converts who did not fully believe Jesus was the Christ.

Denying Jesus a the Christ is to deny what the Bible claims is truth about Jesus.

For example: pre-existing, virgin born, incarnate in the flesh, deity, without sin, He alone completed the atoning work for those who would believe, He alone can forgive sin, He will come again to receive only those who have believed.

John called them a “LIAR”

These are a people who DO NOT have a right standing with the Father!

B. How to identify them

A. They walked away

They were not satisfied with what was provided in the congregation of believers (i.e. the gospel of Jesus)

If the heart is against the gospel the body will soon follow!

They lacked the Spirit of continuance within them.

(v19) “they would have no doubt have continued”

John 6:37 (KJV 1900) — 37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

John 10:28 (KJV 1900) — 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

John 10:29 (KJV 1900) — 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

John 17:12 (KJV 1900) — 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

John 18:9 (KJV 1900) — 9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

One’s failure to continue proves the person’s vain profession; FAKE NOT FAITH.

B. Walking away with a divine purpose

Anytime this happens is brings with it a certain level of pain, hurt, discouragement and collateral damage.

However, their “walking away” was a working of God. WHY???

The present hurt or damage would be nothing compared to what future destruction they would cause if they remained.

Jesus is the CHIEF SHEPHERD! When we fail to see the goats and the wolves, HE IS FAITHFUL TO DRIVE THEM AWAY!!!

C. Their consequence

To deny Jesus is equal to denying the Father.

They have placed themselves under His wrathful hand.

They deprive themselves of have God as their Father.

Jesus is the only one reveals the Father.

Jesus is our only access to the Father.

They only way to the Father is to confess the Son.

2) An Abiding Unction

A. The working of the Holy Spirit

Remember when Jesus said, “I must go away?”

The Comforter (Holy Spirit) was sent to do an abiding work, not a temporary work.

He is a gift from God.

John 14:26 (KJV 1900) — 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Let’s unpack the work of assurance the Holy Spirit does...

He provides an “unction” (aka, “anointing) of gospel truth.

(v21) “ye know it”

John knows that the Holy Spirit never remains silent.

The Holy Spirit’s unction of truth is never a lie.

They need no have to live with a dependance on man to teach them truth.

Romans 15:14 (KJV 1900) — 14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

What comes in must come out

Nothing that enters your heart and soul remains silent.

Life IN YOU is equal to life OUT OF YOU.

He provides an ABIDING unction.

(vv24-25) John speaking of “abiding” is equal to John’s assuming they are in Christ.

Abide = commands to cling to & draw strength from.

Quote: “It may be paraphrased, “Whatever others may do, you, on your part, let the message which you have known from the beginning of your Christian experience have a permanent place in your hearts.” Curtis Vaughan

“Abiding” & “eternal life” are a general sense the same.

Quote: “It is not simply duration of being which starts at death but a quality of life begun on earth and extending through eternity. Because it is indeed the very life of God it is necessarily indestructible.” Curtis Vaughan

His work is never a temporary work!!!

B. Confidence through the Spirit

Up until verse 28, John has been speaking of the eternal abiding work of the Holy Spirit.

No power can remove His presence.

Now, John says, “abide in him.”

In other words, “In light of the truth that fills you, live your life.”

John speaks from the assumption that these believers know that Jesus IS RIGHTEOUS.

Living a life of righteousness is evidence of being born again.

If you have no unction of truth and no desire to live according to it, you are NOT SAVED!

Mark 8:38 (KJV 1900) — 38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Conclusion

So the question before you is this: “Are you living with FAKE religion or with a continual FAITH in Jesus as the Christ?”

If you have no daily witness in your heart of the gospel, if you have no desire to live according to the gospel, you are NOT SAVED!

Willing to confess Jesus as Savior

An inner witness of the gospel

A desire to live according to the gospel