Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 88th. Edition.
Dear People of Faith, of whom the World is not Worthy,
In today’s passage (1 John 4:1-3) we finally encounter the false teaching that has generated the warnings and corrections of the last three chapters.
Be Wary (v. 1). Do not be so gullible as to believe that everyone who claims to be a servant of God is actually one. The world is full of liars, driven by selfish gain and a desire for fame. It is not wrong to examine the claims of a teacher or preacher and draw conclusions, based on what the Bible says.
Be Welcoming (v. 2). In the context of John’s time, the issue was the incarnation – the fact of God taking human form, or put another way, God becoming a man. This is a key aspect of the gospel because estranged humanity needed to be reconciled to God. The reconciliation needed to be brokered by a mediator, acceptable and qualified to represent both parties. As God, Jesus could represent the Godhead. As a man, he could represent humanity. Such a confession can only come from God. It is possible that the teachers of the time were making prophetic utterances. We are not to be fooled by that. Listen to the content, not the accompanying drama. If the content matches biblical truth, we have ourselves a spirit from God.
Be Watchful (v. 3). The spirit of the Antichrist is already with us. The person is yet to be revealed, but the spirit that is preparing the ground for his grand entry has been active since the time of John. The denial of God coming in the flesh is the thing John was pointing to back then. That is still true of some false teachers today, but every season has its weeds. Examine a teacher’s utterances. If they are contrary to the teaching of the Bible, you know where he belongs.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.