LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil
Sunday 3rd April 2022
THEY WERE NOT OF US
Scripture Reading: 1 John 2
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. 1 John 2:19
So far, John had not indicated the identity of the antichrists. Now he tells us that the antichrists were people who had gone out from their midst. This means that they had once been members of the church but had now departed from it. They were people who once followed Christ who had now turned against Him.
The antichrist is not simply someone who leaves one church to join another. Their condition is far deeper than that. The antichrists are people who once held on to the fundamental doctrines of Christ but have turned against those doctrines. They are people who used to live for Christ but have now turned to living a worldly life and seeking to turn other believers to their lifestyle.
Although, the antichrists used to belong to the church, John asserts that they did not belong to Christ. That means they paid lip service to Christ but did not commit their hearts truly to Him. They had no real relationship with Him. In that regard, they were counterfeits right from the beginning.
Sadly, there are many who join churches without giving their hearts to the Lord. Some even become church leaders – with titles such as pastors, bishops, prophets – without knowing the Lord Jesus. They learn the language of the church and join in the church’s celebrations, yet their hearts are not for the Lord. By their actions, they deny the Christ they profess to know.
As Christians, we must test our hearts to determine whether we truly belong to Christ. We must test our desires and motives to determine whether we are of the world or of Christ. Do we live for the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life? Or do we live for Christ and that which is eternal?
Are you of Christ?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to live for Christ and Him alone. Help me to remain true to you till the end. In Jesus’ name, Amen.