Considering the Bible

Test #8 Continuation in Truth

1 John 2:24 – 25
Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.

And this is the promise that he made to us–eternal life.

You know I can’t honestly agree with John in this first phrase.  Whoa – hold on before I am labeled a heretic.

These that John were writing to had heard the gospel from the apostles (who walked with the Lord) or teachers (that had walked with the Apostles).  Most, if not all the hearers had been given a gospel message that was original, correct and sourced from those who walked with the Messiah.

Nowadays, I think you may agree, the gospel message is somewhat modified, and the message can be mangled.  For a Bible teacher to simply refer to this passage to justify staying in the particular church affiliation that he heard the gospel in the beginning, may be a stretch.

Unless of course, John is speaking of the message abiding in us as the Spirit of God, the presence of Jesus.  Not just some doctrine, which may be disfigured when we first heard it, but in hearing it, somehow we grasp Jesus by faith, (or He grasps us first, depending on your soteriology.)

No matter.

In John’s world I think I am understanding that the person of Jesus is that which John may be referring to when he speaks of “what you heard from the beginning”.

Jesus call to salvation may come from an Armenian or Calvinist body, an Amillennial or Premillennial church, a Pentecostal or an Anglican fellowship.  Jesus can shine through, and as He does, we need to grasp onto Him.

I have often defined a believer by the minor doctrines he believes, and yet many, I look back on, truly had the Spirit of God alive in them.   I judged these dear folk to be “non-pure”.  How ironic!  As I judge, I am rightly to be judged.

The test here is the test of continuation in the truth.

Are you seeking the truth, even if it rubs you the wrong way.  Are there passages in the Word that you “skip” because considering them might topple your doctrinal apple cart?

My of my – the apostles had their Jewish thought process tore up when they met the Jewish Messiah. Why should we consider ourselves to be without error.  Our life in the Son is an experience of growth and learning.  If you are not challenged in your thinking, think again.  He wants us to be renewed in our thinking. (I think that is in the Bible somewhere – haha!)

My point is that if you confessed Christ as Lord and Savior in a fundamental Baptist church, considering the teaching of Pentecostals or Mennonites may help you at least understand their faith.  They may have a way of looking at the Word that may enlighten you in ways that are not possible in your own “crowd”.

The fundamentals of the gospel are non-negotiable. Those secondary items that cause you concern when other believers speak of them need to be studied from the Bible, honestly considered in your faith.  There have been a number of topics that I have had to face in my walk with the Lord that have scared me.  Some I refused to consider for many years due to my ignorance of the topic.

May I suggest that considering other Christian faiths may assist in our own walk of faith in the following ways

• Love of the brethren will be enhanced since we can at least understand their position.  True believers, though they may think differently concerning some Bible passages, are not the enemy.  They may challenge your beliefs in ways that are cleansing and beneficial to your life.  Your own belief system may be strengthened based on your discussion, or – heaven forbid – you may find their belief system to make more sense from the Word.  (This I have experienced!)
• A broader understanding of the Word of God will allow for the mystery of the Word to become apart of your life.  If you feel you fully understand the Word, repent of this arrogance.  Remember that this ancient book is not a cartoon comic that we can pick up for 2 mins and understand.  That is way too shallow!
• A pursuit of truth in the believers life does not require settling for the first set of doctrines provided.  It is a starting point, upon which your faith is to be challenged and changed, if need be.
• Discussion with believers of other denominations and understanding of their faith systems within the Christian church may possibly break down some of the “us verses them” attitude in the Body of Christ.   I am pretty sure Paul would applaud this.  I need to add that this discussion, if it is to be fruitful, has to be based on the shared understanding that the Word is the authority, and not tradition, logic or emotional bias.

My friends, allow the Word to be the judge of your belief system.  Letting Him rule through the Word will challenge you in your thinking and therefore in your life choices.

Continue to abide in the Son, and in doing so grow in your faith!  (By the way, if’n you ain’t growin (in some manner), you ain’t in the Son!)

I hope you found a truth that was helpful in your life within this post.  Drop me a line, or send this post to a friend that you thought of recently.

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Test # 7 Denial of the Son

1 John 2:22 – 23
Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.

No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.

In our last post, we looked at each verse within John’s epistles where he mentioned antichrist.  1 John 4:3 speaks of

…every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. We have seen where antichrist

Antichrist does not confess.  This set of verses describes antichrist as one who denies the Son.  Is there any difference between denying and not confessing?  I wonder.  Why is John changing terms, and switching from one concept (not confessing) to another concept (denying).  This might be very interesting to find shades of meaning that may give us a clearer understanding of the Word.

Whoa Carl – You are splitting hares again!

Consider the Bible in John 1:20, where John (the Apostle) records what John the Baptist tells that brood of snakes when they question him

John 1:20

He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”

No deep stuff here.  To deny and to confess are two sides of the same coin!  John again combines confession and denial in the 23rd verse.

I must say that I feel confession is related to verbal communication, and denial may include both verbal communication and actions done in the body.  I have nothing to base this on, other than my own thoughts.  Let us leave that behind then, and simply be thankful for the clear statement that John gives us in his gospel.

So let us proceed with the test that a Christian will not deny the Son.

To begin with I often have thought that denial of the Son only happens at the point of death, right?  Usually in relation to martyrdom.  This is simply an incorrect way of thinking about denial.  Was Peter at death’s door when he denied the Lord?  How about Demas, when he walked away from the  Apostle Paul.

Jesus even predicted Peter’s denial.  The Word describes our lives as endless opportunities to deny Him.  I am afraid denial is a current and dangerous condition for believers and non-believers.

Before I go any further, I think it is imperative to remind the reader of Proverbs 24:16

It is also good to remember that, although Peter denied the Master, Jesus restored Him.  In this story of Peter’s denial, I see hints of a progression to a full denial.  Peter stumbled into the denial, and although warned by the Lord, committed the act.  His denial was dealt with later on, but Peter’s response to his denial speaks volumes to me.  He immediately knew he had sinned, in that when he understood his actions, he broke down and wept.

Mark 14:38 The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

I am becoming increasingly convinced that full and complete denial is not necessarily a one time decision, but a culmination of decisions regarding the Lordship of Christ.

It is obvious for all who have walked with the Messiah for more than a few weeks, that we are weak and He is strong.  We are (at least I am) continually fighting temptations, and at times I fail.  Upon confession, I claim His promise and seek to walk uprightly again.

The denial that John speaks of in this set of verses speaks of a final denial sometime before death, a denial that is intentional, decided on by the person with a positive will towards the denial.  An active, forward pushing denial that reveals a hardened heart and resolute spirit.

Whether you are a believer (or a non-believer) – Denial is the death of you.  Confess Him as the One who is Lord!

I hope you found a truth that was helpful in your life within this post.  Drop me a line, or send this post to a friend that you thought of recently.

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Test #6 Becoming an Anti-Christ – Continued

In our last post, I settled on the topic of church life through a computer monitor, and how this may be a trap.  In the post, I challenged the reader to fulfill the “one another” commands, while attending a virtual church meeting that is becoming so acceptable in this society.

As I researched this list, it shocked me as to the volume of verses that contain the phrase “one another”  This list does not contain passages that define brotherly love other than with the term “one another”  This list only includes that one specific term.

Although lengthy, take your time and consider the consistency of this command throughout the New Testament.

Romans 12:10
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

Romans 14:13
Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

Romans 15:5
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,

Romans 15:7
Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Romans 15:14
I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.

Romans 16:16
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

1 Corinthians 7:5
Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

1 Corinthians 11:33
So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another–

1 Corinthians 12:25
that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.

1 Corinthians 16:20
All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

2 Corinthians 13:12
Greet one another with a holy kiss.

Galatians 5:13
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Ephesians 4:2
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 5:19
addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

Ephesians 5:21
submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Colossians 3:9
Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices

Colossians 3:13
bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

1 Thessalonians 3:12
and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,

1 Thessalonians 4:9
Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,

1 Thessalonians 4:18
Therefore encourage one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:15
See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

2 Thessalonians 1:3
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.

Hebrews 3:13
But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

Hebrews 10:25
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

1 Peter 1:22
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

1 Peter 4:8
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:9
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

1 Peter 4:10
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

1 Peter 5:5
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:14
Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 3:11
For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

1 John 3:23
And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

1 John 4:11
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:12
No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

2 John 1:5
And now I ask you, dear lady–not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning–that we love one another.

Enjoy fellowship with the saints.  Love one another.  Turn the one eyed bandit off!  Be with the saints!

I hope you found a truth that was helpful in your life within this post.  Drop me a line, or send this post to a friend that you thought of recently.

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