1 John 2:18-24

|
"Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen; from this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, in order that it might be shown that they all are not of us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also. As for you, 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".
1 John 2:18-24 NIV



I know that for me whenever I read of the the antichrist, I always think of THE Antichrist. One person that will appear to be good, but is truly evil. A person that will attempt to set himself up as god and attempt to take control of the world.

However, in this passage of scripture that isn't the antichrist of which John is warning. In looking at the words John writes, he tells us that the antichrist is coming (that one person that will seek to control the world), but that many antichrists HAVE ALREADY ARRIVED.

Other antichrists besides THE ONE that we all have heard about and read about in Revelations? I had never thought of this term in any other way but that one. I'm a little slow on the uptake some days, so it took me a bit longer to fully understand what John is saying here. But, the lightbulb did eventually go off and I realized John is referring to people and things in this world today. He is telling us that there are already things in this world that seek to turn us away from the one true God.

How about money? How many people do we know that think the only way to be happy is to be wealthy. Or, the perfect job. Maybe if we had the perfect job and made lots of money doing that perfect job. How many times do we hear that will make us happy? Or, maybe it's to be a part of the "in" crowd and be well-known by all in our community. Surely, that would make us happy?

Sadly, that is the message that is sent out to each and everyone of us each and everyday. That is simply not the case. And, no matter the place of significance we put these things in our lives (even to the point of putting them above God) we will not know true happiness, true peace, true joy until we put God in that top place of significance in our lives. Only when we make God THE GOD in our lives will we know the truth.

However, we can't stop here. We must do more than just believe God to the true God. We must do more than say he is the #1 priority in our lives. We must seek to KNOW God. We must spend time in his Word, we must spend time in prayer, we must abide in Him. As the last part of the scripture states, "As for you, 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."



8 Thoughts Shared:

Nancie said...

Melanie, this is so true! There are so many things in our life daily that threaten to turn us away from God in promising happiness, prosperity, etc etc.

But true happiness, joy and blessings come from a personal relationship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. And it a daily seeking God in prayers, in reading His Words and walking in His ways. How we need to thirst for God and His grace to live a life that is well pleasing to Him!

Thanks for sharing this encouraging post. May God bless and keep you and family in His love always.

Hope you have a blessed week!

Nancie

Simply Dawn said...

What a wonderful post and one that is so true. We have to stay in God's word to keep our eyes set on the truth!

Thanks for sharing!!!

Tracy said...

How very true! Without Christ, we can never have full and complete lives. And as you say, we can't just accept Him and then go about our merry way...we must pray and listen and read His Word...love that phrase...ABIDE in Him. Thank you for sharing!
Blessings,
Tracy

Natalie said...

To know the Truth is to know God. To know God is to stay embedded in his Word daily. Evils of this world are all around us. Isn't it wonderful to be on His side? Thanks for your thoughts today.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this post about abiding in Him. It's so easy to get entangled in what the world has to offer that we often turn our eyes off Him. Let us turn our hearts to God instead.

Paula said...

Melanie -- I find that I too can distracted and off course, especially when I am not in the WORD adn spending time with the father. Thanks for the post and the encouragement.

Anonymous said...

I think the same about when i read it and have to remind myself that there has been many of them!

Great information!

God Bless Mel!

Tricia said...

Melanie
What a great post, and how true it is that we must make it the #1 priority in our lives to know God, not just say we are saved and live the way the world lives.

How I wish my family (not immediate) understood this and was making it their #1 priority to know God... however, one member is choosing to live in a way that is not honoring to our Lord, saying He has given her peace, when it goes against everything the scriptures say.. it just breaks my heart for her and for the ramifications it will have on our whole family...

Sorry about the long comment, it's just on my mind tonight...

Thanks for your post! Have a wonderful week!

Blessings!