Sure of Truth • 1 John 2:18-29
By Laura Lee Leathers
Our lesson today covers another aspect of the HIL (see second paragraph of last week’s lesson). Remember, we are to examine ourselves, our core beliefs, and our actions. Likewise, under this segment are questions related to truth.
How would you answer the following questions: Do you believe in Jesus, who is truth (John 14:6), and the only way for eternal life? Do you believe in the inerrancy of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16)?
The Apostle John, in taking his readers back to the basics of Christianity, issues a warning regarding the Antichrist and the antichrists. How do we discern the truth from lies?
Truth keeps us anchored in the faith (1 John 2:18-21). John commences with “the last hour,” referencing the time frame from Jesus’ death to the Rapture (1 Tim. 4:1; 1 Pet. 4:7). Only John uses the term Antichrist (4:3, 2 John 7). Prophesied in Scripture, this individual will be someone Satan uses who claims to be God yet opposes everything biblical.
John then focuses on the issue at hand, the many antichrists who were in the assemblies. The characteristics of these men are that they entered the congregations with false doctrine, opposed God, distorted the truth, and promoted their selfish ambitions (2 Cor 10:4-5). Sadly, this is still taking place today.
How did John discern the truth about their faith? Two points: they went out from us, and they were not of us. A characteristic of a genuine believer is one who perseveres in faith, maintains fellowship with the other believers, and follows the truth (1 Cor. 11:19; 2 Tim. 2:12).
Truth is grounded in who Jesus is (1 John 2:22-26). Another mark of the antichrists is their denial that Jesus is the Christ. If you deny Jesus, you don’t know the Father either. Many people believe there is a God; however, they do not believe Jesus (v. 23) existed or that He was a good man. When a person acknowledges the Son, they see the Father also.
John uses the word, “abide,” frequently in his writings. Of 100 times it is used in the Bible, 19 of those are in 1 John. “The word in the Greek literally means ‘to remain in the same place over a period of time- — to remain, to stay’” (J.P. Louw and E. A. Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains, Volume 1 New York United Bible Societies, 1988), 729). Please take a moment to read John 15:1-17.
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Because Jesus is The Truth, we have His promise of eternal life!
As you study, highlight John’s use of the phrase, “I have written to you,” or, “I am writing to you.” He warns a third time that it’s the antichrists who will try to deceive the faithful in Christ.
Following the truth leads to righteous living (1 John 2:27-29). It’s time for the final questions of the test: Does your walk with Christ reflect faithful obedience, abiding love, and right doctrine? Do you have a teacher in your life encouraging you and demonstrating righteous living?
The goal of a teacher is to take the student back to the truth of God’s Word and challenge them to be like the Bereans (Acts 17:11) to make sure it is so. The Apostle James reminds us that everyone should not be a teacher. Teachers will be held to higher accountability because of their influence on others (James 3:1).
Yes, we all need teachers, pastors, and mentors as we spiritually grow. “The phrase, ‘You do not need that anyone teach you,’ does not deny the relevance of Bible teachers or preachers. It simply means that the truth of the Word of God — which Christians already possess — is sufficient for wisdom and application in all things. Godly teachers help people better understand the Bible and the Holy Spirit reveals its truths, but anyone who contradicts what is in God’s Word must not be heeded, for they are liars” (The Jeremiah Study Bible, NKJV, page 1811).
How do others know you’re a believer in Christ Jesus? By how you live: “Everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him” (v. 29).
How can we be sure of truth? Jesus said, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come” (John 16:13 NKJV).
Therefore, truth is available when we: Totally — Rely — Upon — The — Holy Spirit!
Leathers is a member of First Church, Lexington. She may be contacted at laura.l.leathers@gmail.com.
