18 Little children, it is the last hour. Just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not really part of us. If they had been part of us, they would have stayed with us. But by going out from us, they showed they all are not part of us. 20 But you have an anointing from the holy one, and all of you know the truth. 21 I don’t write to you because you don’t know the truth but because you know it. You know that no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar? Isn’t it the person who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This person is the antichrist: the one who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Everyone who denies the Son does not have the Father, but the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.
24 As for you, what you heard from the beginning must remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, you will also remain in relationship to the Son and in the Father. 25 This is the promise that he himself gave us eternal life.
Reflection
Two items of note to help us more fully understand 1 John. Verses 7 – 12 are worthy of a read as they affirm, without qualification, that the very nature of God is disclosed in love – love for God and for fellow human beings. Both Son and Jesus imply the physical quality of Christ. The mention of the antichrist is connected with the departure of a group of people who never shared the full Christian belief that Jesus is the Christ incarnate and Eternal life. Being in relationship with Father and Son leads to the quality of life made possible by God’s revelation in Christ.
Just a few days ago Laura and I returned from a bucket list trip, long planned, and prepared for, to go to London for a few days and then go to Dublin followed by driving through the southern half of Ireland.
It was a lot of work, a wonderful experience, and something that I hope that I can pull from in the future.
The aspect of the trip that I think impacted me the most was all of the wonderful people we met and talked with. That happened on a tour bus, in cabs, in a one on one tour of the National Gallery in London, and at the many B&Bs that we stayed at. Of course we met people from London and Ireland but also Netherlands, Australia, Denmark, and Austria. We also witnessed demonstration marches concerning Palestine, emigration, and antisemitism in both countries we visited.
Here in our country I sometimes feel like I have to be careful not to say the wrong thing in fear of someone having a very fixed opinion and being very defensive and unwilling to discuss. There was no one we met who was not very informed about world affairs including what is going on in the United States, especially regarding politics and how our presidential election and political climate can impact the world. Everyone spoke openly and shared about things in their countries. Very refreshing to have such easy, unguarded, conversations. I think we came away feeling good about the free world seeing that a lot of commonalities of problems and opportunities exist. From that environment also came a sense of truth because people do take the time to learn and understand their world and think accordingly.
by Clarence Beverage
For Pondering and Prayer
In this part of the devotional we ask questions that are designed to help all of us to reflect and develop greater understanding. I have shared some things here that are close to my heart or feel important to quality of life. If you have questions that you would like to ask I hope that you always free to ask Pastor Joe or perhaps send a note to one of us writing Devotionals.
John is being very direct with those he is leading in stating that there is absolute, core truth, regarding who Jesus is. He is also saying relationship with God and Christ lead to a quality of life made possible by God’s revelation in Christ. I like his words; they bring a kind of assurance to me. What is your feeling?
Pastor Joe’s sermon this last Sunday was focused on being in Love with God. How do you feel about including fellow human beings as well?
Prayer: Dear Lord, much of our world is an amazing place and there are many wonderful people in it. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed and find it difficult to see the good. We thank you for scripture that is anchoring and brings strength through truth. We thank you for giving us what we need to seek truth and to love others as you so clearly love us. Amen.