Recognize and Reject Them

I John 2:24-27 Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

Days of deception...the times we are living in, and it's only going to get worse. John made it clear in the previous verses that whoever denies that Jesus is Messiah and Savior does not have the Father nor the Son. He warned about antichrists, those false teachers who deny the deity of Jesus, and add other things to salvation; thereby denying salvation by faith and grace alone. John admonishes us to hold on to that foundational truth and not allow ourselves to be swayed or pulled away from the truth by every wind of doctrine. My friends, even though today we have many good resources to help us study the Bible, the greatest resource we have is the indwelling Spirit of God, and God's Holy Word, the Bible. The Holy Spirit is the most trustworthy Teacher we have been given. He illuminates the Word and helps us to dig through God's Word as we compare Scripture with Scripture. We must not be lazy about our study of God's truth. John tells us to allow the truth of the Word to stand firm in us, as we stand firm on the truth we have studied and found in the Living Word. Only then will we be able to recognize those wolves in sheep's clothing who sometimes creep in amongst us. Brothers and sisters, be students of the Word, live out the Word, be diligent to know the truth, and reject those false teachers and antichrist who only seek glory for themselves; and who are leading others on the path to eternal destruction. Always be ready to recognize them and reject them; we, ourselves, knowing the truth and speaking the truth in love.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).