One of Us?, I John 2:19

February 23, 2016

I John 2:19... They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For, if they belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us...

This section of John's epistle describes antichrists, those within the church who deny Christ or the Father. To deny doesn't mean that they do not exist or that they never existed, rather they deny their fullness, their holiness, the completeness of who they are. They may say they are god but not supreme. They may agree that they are kind, forgiving, or loving but not to be feared. They might say they are never changing but alter their commands to fit the culture, the world they live in. One thing we see about antichrists, when they are challenged, they turn and run. They leave saying things like, those people are legalistic, I felt so restricted there - you couldn't have any fun in that church, every thing I wanted to do they said was wrong, so they ran away to infiltrate somewhere else.

A and K, be careful of those that change the Word to fit the world. Be careful of those who say, yeah that is what the scripture says but here is what it means for us today. Is God really the same yesterday, today, and forever. Yes, it says so in Hebrews 13. ( I put the verses at the end... so good to read!) We can count on the Word of God not to change with the fads or movements of the culture. Homosexuals, drunkards, adulterers, all liars, those who hate... they are headed for the lake of fire.

Ladies, don't follow today's worldly church. They run after what is trending. They change their dress, music, actions, speech and their life to keep current, so they fit in. Jesus called us to be different, so don't live like the world. Rather leave the others run away to chase after the world. They never belonged, but I want you to remain and honor the Father and his Son, for you are one of his!

~Dad

Hebrews 13: 7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so.