Three Little Letters

Here is a link to last week’s series, Three Little Letters.

 And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame. Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God’s children.

1 John 2:28 (NLT)

Today’s devotion is a fascinating look at how some people in the Church seem to be among us as believers one day, and before you know it, they are gone—having never really believed.

John concludes the second chapter of his first letter with a warning about antichrists in the Church. Now, don’t be confused. The term antichrist in this sense simply means anyone who is against Christ. He is not saying they are the Antichrist of Revelation.

Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come. These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise, they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.

1 John 2:18 & 19

In other words, he was referring to people who began attending the meetings of the Church and, in some cases, seemed to have understanding, but then they left the Church. Some of them were there to cause trouble, and it was obvious from the beginning that they didn’t really believe in Jesus.

Now, keep in mind the purpose for this particular Bible study is not to look at others around us. It would be easy to do that in today’s lesson because of the reference to the Church body.

Seed Basket is exploring John’s little letters to encourage individuals to examine their own hearts. My desire is for those struggling with the fear of losing their salvation to find peace and clarity. The Holy Spirit has inspired this letter. He can help you.

So, let’s see how John reveals the hearts of those who never truly accepted Christ for salvation.

 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father but are from this world.  And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

1 John 2:17 & 18

In these two verses John is simply helping us see two important things about the false believers. They still crave the sinful things of earth. And the things they crave are fading away.

Everything that replaces God is what they aspire to have. Look at the lost people around you. What marks their lives? Whether rich or poor, they all have the same markers that prove this passage is true: craving more, pride, selfishness, discontent, restlessness, one relationship after another, addictions, fears, disunity, dysfunction…

But there is never satisfaction.

But for those who believe in God, there is a knowledge that is deep and sure. It is in our soul and in our mind. We can know for sure. John tells us this.

But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth. So, I am writing to you not because you don’t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies. 

1 John 2:20 & 21

Do you see? As believers, we each have the Gift of the Holy Spirit. Fellowship with Him through prayer, Bible study, and engaging with other believers enhances our awareness of His presence. While He is always there, we can become distant if we live in sin and ignore Him. This distance often leads believers to feel they have lost their salvation.

If you are unsaved then none of that makes sense, or you don’t have a desire for it. If your heart is cold toward God, then the next passage is more likely where you are Spiritually.

And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ.^[b] Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist.^[c] Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

1 John 22 & 23

Well, if you have found a great peace in your heart from this chapter, then give God thanks. Let’s deconstruct verses 24-27 to see what the next steps should be for every believer.

• remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning
• remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. 
• in this fellowship enjoy the eternal life he promised us.
• be watchful about those who want to lead you astray.  
• you have received the Holy Spirit,^[d] and he lives within you,
• you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true.
• the Spirit^[e] teaches you everything you need to know,
• what he teaches is true—it is not a lie.
• just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.

1 John 2:26 & 27

 Since we know that Christ is righteous,

we also know that all who do what is right are God’s children.

1 John 2:29 (NLT)

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

How beautiful are the feet of those

who share the Good News

Isaiah 52:7 (paraphrased)