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THE CROSS: Know it. Live it. Preach it.

God will never lift up those who stand in their pride but only those who bow before Him in humility (Psalms 145:14; James 4:6-10, etc.).

Running to a “revival” is not the answer. The reason people run to a “revival” is due to their refusal to deny self, take up the cross daily, and thereby be re-vived (filled with life!) daily – experiencing the resurrection of Christ each day in their personal lives as God has ordained (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12). A cross-less life is a life of defeat. A life in the cross is a life of victory! God is calling us to settle down humbly in repentance and adhere to His cross prescription. It’s only then that His victory is going to manifest in our lives, and not before. Going to a revival is usually for a feeling and not going to result in a solid forged foundation.

It’s important to not just share promises but also the divinely stated conditions God gives us in His Word. The cross message is nearly never heard in the modern church world and Jesus says it’s essential to following Him (Luke 9:23-24).

Grab this: Having difficulty overcoming? Let’s get a fresh dose of dying – of death and burial – and Christ will raise us upward into His victory! Read Romans 6. God will not raise us upward until we submit afresh downward – to His prescription of the crucified life! Romans 6 and 2 Corinthians 4:10-12, Galatians 2:20.

“Until I embraced the cross, I had no lasting victory! No seed-bearing fruit, like clouds without rain, all promise but dry bones within. Christ will only indwell a vessel emptied of self and only he can give complete salvation to overcome all sin to be enjoyed at the marriage supper of the LAMB. Til then we press in abiding in Jesus, so that he may work in us his great salvation. (John 15; Rom 6; Php. 2; Col. 3; etc.) I die -> He raises me up.” Jon Crane

Beware of the many counterfeits today who want to be raised up, resurrected, elevated and yet are not willing to lay down their lives in this fleeting world – to die. They want the crown without the cross but that’s not how Christ’s kingdom works.

Those who evade (do not camp around the cross message of Christ and His apostles) are not following the original Gospel and prove they are “enemies of the cross of Christ” and only seek to satisfy their carnal lusts.
 
“(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)” Philippians 3:18-19 
In contrast to these “enemies of the cross of Christ … whose god is their belly (carnal appetites), those who will remain in the cross life will be mightily used of God (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

Personal observation … I never so preach the cross message as when I am actually taking up that cross  as Jesus instructed and as He enables by His grace (divine enablement). Also, there’s never such a fresh and powerful anointing from Heaven present as when this disciple is truly, presently submitted to our LORD in His cross  (the death and burial He calls us to) so that He can raise us upward in His divine strength which is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Oh that God would make this constant in the lives of His beloved! Seek Him for this beloved.

Cross-less Liars

You not preaching the cross – the necessity of being crucified with Christ? Friend, are you perpetuating falsehoods? Are you regurgitating promises without their divinely stated conditions?

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24

Jesus placed the cross at the center of His kingdom and our walk with Him. In the above passage He clearly conveys that the cross is essential to following Him. Yet we hear little or nothing of this cross in the modern church message. AND, we hear SO much about elevation, the hope of victory, “God’s going to turn your situation around,” “your blessing is just around the corner,” etc. Yet no cross – no requirement to die, to lay down your life.

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3

In Christ’s kingdom there must be first a humble downward descent before there will be a divine ascent.

The depth you allow God to bury you determines the height of His resurrection, His raising up in your life! (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

The only way up is down in Christ’s kingdom economy.

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12 

Those not willing to humble themselves before the Almighty and die to self, will not be raised up by Him – here and now and forever.

Believing God’s blessing will be upon our lives without doing things His way – the cross – is a “lying” vanity.

“They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.” Jonah 2:8 

Adding to the simplicity of the Gospel? No. – Those who truly have saving faith delight to obey their Master Jesus (Matthew 7:21-29; Luke 6:46; 19:27; John 14:15, 21; Titus 1:16; James 2; 1 John 2:4, etc.).

Jesus conquered sin by dying and we follow Him by dying to self, self-will, the self-life so that He might reign supreme in us. This is the way sin is conquered. Read this closely:

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” Hebrews 2:14

Here’s how our lives in Christ work beloved:

“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

It’s hard not to get super excited at the thought of His resurrection and the one He wants to bring in our lives – and will bring as we lay them down!

A “gospel” that doesn’t include at its center the cross, is “another gospel” (Galatians 1:6-9).

If it’s not elevation by God, by way of death and the burial of self, it’s a false and a demonic self-elevation. Beware!

“Elevation” is the new self-promoting buzz word and yet there will be no elevation, divine raising up until there is a death and burial. Listen closely – there is no cross in their message. They are “enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:18-19).

Those who do not preach this cross of the original Gospel of Jesus, are “enemies of the cross of Christ” and have chosen the flesh, self-promotion instead of the promotion that comes from the LORD alone, above.

“(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)” Philippians 3:18-19

Karen Cochran writes:

“The cross message is Christ’s truth! I heard a pastor say that Jesus died for us because we were worth it! What? This is the stuff that is being preached in the churches! No death to self! People are being elevated to believe they are great people! Not the message of Jesus at all. The way of the cross is hard with tribulations and dying to self. Paul said oh wretched man that I am. That applies to all of us! Everyday I see how much I am not like Jesus and the prayer of my heart is ‘more of Jesus less of me.’ I am certainly a work in progress. This cross message of Christ and His apostles is not very popular in modern day churches.”

God will only promote those who do things HIS non-negotiable way and no other.

“For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. 7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” Psalms 75:6-7

Unless you are obediently going downward, deep into the death of Christ, GOD is not raising you upward and you are relegated to your own futile self-promotion.

God doesn’t raise up those who are propelled by and alive under their own strength and will power. He only raises upward those who are bowed down in the crucified life. The LORD leaves “alone,” leaves to themselves those who are no doing things His way which is the way of the cross.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn (grain, seed) of wheat fall into the ground and die (death and burial), it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit (resurrection).” John 12:24

Those who don’t die will abide “alone” – without the resurrection grace of He who is “the resurrection and the life” – because they are not walking in faith in His resurrecting power of Christ but rather according to the flesh, to do their own promotion.

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” John 11:25

Elevation that’s not preceded by the cross – death and burial – is luciferian self-promotion. Check this out:

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.” Isaiah 14:12-15

Self-promotion is a work of the flesh, part of the old man, part of Satan’s kingdom. Self-promotion is usurpish, conceited, and arrogant, foolishly pretending to be in charge, to be able to independent of the Almighty do as it pleases. Like Satan, all who operate this way “shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit (of hell) (Isaiah 14:12-15).

“And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.” Luke 10:18

Satan was cast out of Heaven – violently ejected from the presence of the Almighty – for His pride. And, so shall all who follow in his steps, refusing to truly repent and humble themselves under the mighty hand of God – in being  crucified with Christ.

Those who walk with Jesus, walk in the faith of knowing HE is going to raise them up as they bow down in humility before Him.

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:6-10

The Crucified Life

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Abiding

WHAT is the Context of Fighting the Good Fight of Faith? [podcast]


Dancing on the Defeated Devil’s Grave! Get some! Now!

What was Paul speaking of when he declared that Christ’s disciples must “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses”? (1 Timothy 6:12)

First off, it’s a “good fight” because we are going to win – yet only if we do things God’s way with no compromise. What do we fight against? What must we put under foot, conquer and reign victorious over? 

What did the Holy Spirit in Paul mean by fighting the good fight of faith? Think context.

You have to “fight” to keep these damning sins out of your life – and the way you “fight” is to be rich in giving – otherwise you will have a sand foundation that will not stand in the judgment. You will go to Hell irrevocably. This is the clear teaching of Scripture, throughout. Read this closely:

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:6-12

Wisdom is fellowshipping with those who are on fire for Jesus, who refuse to be lukewarm, who are fighting the good fight of faith, who are finishing their course, who are keeping the faith (2 Timothy 4:7) …. who make you wonder if you are saved. Conviction.

The cross is an absolute essential in the life of every saint of Christ. There will be no overcoming without putting the cross at the center of our daily lives. Paul said:

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”  1 Corinthians 9:27

Eternal security is the fairytale of counterfeits.

Jesus told us that the cross is “daily” (Luke 9:23-24). It must be daily or you will fall away. No one can truly serve God on any other terms but the ones He has set forth. The cross must be at the center of your life. You must plant, drive that stake in the ground. Your heart and life will never be flooded with His love, peace, power, and joy until you do.

Those who don’t endure to the end after being saved are going to hell (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Hebrews 10:26-39).

Do you truly love God above self and all else? That’s the big question. If you love God supremely, you will give Him the preference in the life He gave you and for which you will give full account to Him.

Do you truly desire the power of God to function in your life? The cross is His way beloved.

YOU, yes you are in a war. The cross is the instrument of your death so that Christ, who is “the resurrection and the life” might reign in and through your life (John 11:25). Don’t even think you’re going to conquer devils, principalities, when you haven’t even conquered your own heart, soul, lusts, and life.

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30

Scarcely will we hear a man preach on the cross – the crucified life – which proves he himself is not taking up his cross. And the cross is a non-negotiable essential in the divine economy. Never wait for any other man to take up the cross or preach it. You do it. God holds you 100% responsible to do so – and you will appear before the Almighty to give full account for doing so, or not.

The war is won within – as you push your love upward to God and outward to men. This must be the labor of love deliberately won by fighting, battling through everything that seeks to assume first place in your life, time, your thoughts, your heart, your affections, etc. God only raises up crucified – dead and buried disciples. THAT’s when the victory is won and such a crucified disposition must be diligently procured daily by the cross – knowing that God is only going to raise up the surrendered soul.

Memorize:

“Let us labour (fight) therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Hebrews 4:11

Treasure that will be Eternally Tremendous or Trouncing

Where your money is proves where your heart is …. Take a look at your bank statement and see where the money is going and also your investments and property. There is where you will see where your heart truly is. Your bank statement will reveal to you who you really are – as in contrast with who you may claim to be. The self-deception will be exposed.

Getting “honest” in your “heart” and life are a required essential to bear fruit unto everlasting life with Christ, the Father, and the saints (Luke 8:15).

Jesus says: “WHERE you treasure (money) is, THERE will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).

Are you pouring into Christ’s kingdom? If not, what does that actually reveal about your life at this moment? – It reveals that you love this world, you love your life in this world.

Isn’t it time to lose your life in this world?

“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33

Is Christ your Protector or is your money? Remember, you will soon be separated from your money – and stand naked before the Almighty (Job 1:21; 1 Timothy 6:6-11). What shall you say to Him in that day? Will He declare over you “Well done” or “Depart from me”? Read Matthew 25:40-46.

“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” Luke 17:33 

If you are rich toward yourself instead of “rich toward God” – you chose to forsake Christ, even though you were running a lot of religious interference. God sees through it all. Read what Christ taught in Luke 12:15-21 and 16:19-31.

Are the authentic ministries you know of, who feed you and others, well stocked with supply, fuel to function? Do you realize they have monthly bills and have a family to provide for as they have answered God’s call to do the infinitely most important and only eternal work in the earth?

Jesus spoke of those who are and those who aren’t “rich toward God.” Those “rich toward God” have God first and nothing else. Nothing gets spent before Christ’s workers and work are supplied. They make sure Christ’s work and workers are fully fueled. They are the bless-ed Obadiahs and Epaphroditus’ of our day.

Who was Epaphroditus? Well, he was like Obadiah in the days of Elijah and the other true prophets of God. He kept laborers of the Gospel supplied so they could function in the calling of the LORD on their lives.

“Lay up for yourself treasure in Heaven, not things on the earth. Because it will all burn up one day, all will be lost. Can’t take anything of this earth’s wealth with you. Only all you’ve given to God will last. Give as a cheerful giver. Jesus cheerfully gave His life for you. He died for you to save you. Our giving will not out give God. Supporting the work of the Lord is laying up treasures in Heaven. God Bless.” Darlene

Epaphroditus is the New Testament Equivalent to Obadiah

Timothy and Epaphroditus

“And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly: 4 For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)” 1 Kings 18:3-4

Read Philippians 2:19-30 to discover how this man, this brother in Christ named Epaphroditus, supplied Paul and the ministry of Christ.

WHO was Obadiah in the Days of Ahab and Jezebel?

“And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly: 4 For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)” 1 Kings 18:3-4

“Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD” (1 Kings 18:4). Through his ministers that held high positions within the kingdom of God, the devil “cut off” the supply of finances to those prophets who remained in the truth, refusing to compromise with the system and majority. God-fearing Obadiah secretly supplied these servants of Christ with food and water to sustain their lives. Is there any new thing under the sun? No. In our day, when those few who refuse to compromise are being cut off from financial supply by those who have a stranglehold on the control of 99% of the finances flowing in the church world, we, the remnant, have been called out to be like Obadiah and supply those who remain true to the LORD in serving His people. See 1 Kings 18.

The Most Dangerous and Prevalent Sins?

“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor COVETOUS man, who is an IDOLATER, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:5-6

One man of God noted that “More people will be in Hell for covetousness and greed than all other sins combined.” The honest student of Holy Scripture cannot but agree to this. There is a direct connection between your money and the Messiah, your supply and the Savior.

Those not laying up treasure in Heaven (digging their way into Hell) prove such by not being “rich toward God” but are rather rich toward the god of self, who cannot save them from eternal damnation.

Yes! Amen. Jesus shine your light into my heart and reveal your truth to me. I can hide and not want to know what is in me. Turn up the heat so I will surrender to you what is not of you.” Karen Cochran

Jesus Instructs You to Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:19-24

At the end of his earthly life, the apostle Paul could declare with clear conscience:

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Sin must be warded off, must be kept at bay, must be put under foot by the cross, the crucified life. There are not shortcuts. Knowing you are expected to cling to and know and walk with Jesus is one thing – and walking it out is another. Here’s a memory verse:

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  James 4:7

Those who answer the call of God to do His work forego, waive, give up their own earnings in this passing world in order to obey God by feeding and equipping His precious sheep for whom He died and rose again (John 15:16; 21:15-17; Acts 6:4; 15:26; 20:24; 1 Corinthians 9:1-14, etc.). It’s a blessing for us to be able to contribute, to get behind this most important and only eternal work of our LORD transpiring in His earth as His children live in fervent expectation of His glorious and soon return.

“Earth is planning for war.
Heaven is preparing for a wedding.” unknown

This is not our home beloved saints of Christ. NO ONE is going to do His glorious Gospel work except HIS own children – and that’s us!

“WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9

Jesus Christ is KING.

YOUR PRAYER OF REPENTANCE: Holy Father, I come to You now in the name of Jesus Christ and ask You to forgive my sin of self-idolatry, of spiritual adultery. I have lived in sin, in pride, in self-love and am now turning wholly to Thee my God – asking You to wash me clean, to clear my sin by Your precious blood LORD Jesus. Here and now I denounce all covetousness for the trinkets of this world and choose, from this moment forth, to be rich toward You dear LORD – in getting behind and fueling Your Gospel work in the earth. In the name of Jesus Christ – let’s roll Jesus! Amen.

Biblical Stewardship

Support | STORE | PodcastsBecause You Care Page | The Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God Walking with Jesus on His Stated Terms – the Cross | Fasting and PrayerThe Old Man Must be Put Down [podcast]The 5 Sins That Keep God’s People Out of Their Promised Land [podcast]What Did Paul Mean by “I Keep Under My Body”? [podcast]“Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith” [podcast]A Living Sacrifice unto God [podcast]Departing from Hell BeneathPrayer

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Abiding

LORD, Prepare Me! [podcast]


Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8

“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” John 14:21

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:23

“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21

“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:6

Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

“And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9

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Abiding

THE DEVIL IS A LIAR [podcast]


Eternal Security is not taught in God’s Word – Other than by Satan and his false prophets.

After being saved, one cannot live in sin and remain in relationship with Christ.

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Romans 6:1-2

Reading Romans 6 each morning this week prayerfully will greatly benefit the disciple of Christ.

God said (Genesis 2:17): 

“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof THOU SHALT SURELY DIE.”

Satan said (Genesis 3:4): 

“And the serpent said unto the woman, YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE.”

Eternal Security Proof Text Plundered

1 John 2:19-29

Warning Concerning Antichrists

18  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

19  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

20  But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

21  I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

22  Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

23  Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

24  Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

25  And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

26  These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

27  But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

Children of God

28  And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

29  If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

John makes it clear that the antichrists in their midst which departed, did so because they were departing from the faith (1 timothy 4:1-2). Verse 19 does NOT say they were never of us but rather “they were not of us.”

Teddy Caldwell writes:

“OSAS insists that those are professing believers, but 1 John 2:18 says such people are antichrists. 1 John 2:22 says an antichrist is one who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Anyone who does that isn’t a believer and isn’t even trying to look like one.”

Concerning 1 John 2:19, Donald Stamps, in the Life in the Spirit Study Bible, writes:

“‘THEY WENT OUT FROM US.’ When the antichrists departed from their fellowship with true believers, they were not in a saving relationship with Christ. This allows for two possibilities: (1) They were never true believers to begin with, or (2) they had once been in a saving relationship with Christ but afterward abandoned their faith in Christ.”

Right here in verse 24 of this passage we see the doctrine of personal responsibility to “remain” in faithful obedience to the LORD or lose one’s place with God (1 Corinthians 15:2; Galatians 6:9; Colossians 1:23). This is a teaching found throughout Holy Writ – the divine requirement to stay saved or lose all in eternity, “suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 7).

“Let that therefore abide (remain) in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. IF (denotes condition) that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” 1 John 2:24-25

Verse 24 alone tells us that we cannot think that verse 19 means that someone who is at some point in right standing with God can never depart from Him and lose out. Also, verse 25 tells us that “eternal life” (not just rewards) is at stake and the promise contingent upon the believer abiding or remaining in that “which ye have heard from the beginning” which is the Gospel. “Eternal life” is assured as long as one is remaining rooted in Jesus Christ. This is the overwhelmingly consistent message of God’s Word.

In verse 26 John says “These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.” Verse 19 is written about the deceivers who sought to “seduce” these disciples John was addressing, and not of true believers.

With all of Scripture in consideration, we can conclude that 1 John 2:19 is a specific example and not a rule of doctrine.

If you truly wish to search out this matter, let me encourage you to closely examine, break down and study this entire text (1 John 2:18-29). In order to ascertain truth, one must compare the verse in question with all other related Scriptures, beginning with the context in which the verse is set (Isaiah 28:9-10; 1 Corinthians 2:13).

Adam Clarke note on 1 John 2:19

“1 John 2:19
They went out from us – These heretics had belonged to our Christian assemblies, they professed Christianity, and do so still; but we apostles did not commission them to preach to you, for they have disgraced the Divine doctrine with the most pernicious opinions; they have given up or explained away its most essential principles; they have mingled the rest with heathenish rites and Jewish glosses. While, therefore, we acknowledge that they once belonged to us, we assert that they are not of us. They are not Christians; we abhor their conduct and their creed. We never sent them to teach.

They were not of us – For a considerable time before they left our assemblies they gave proofs that they had departed from the faith; for if they had been of us – if they had been apostles, and continued in the firm belief of the Christian doctrines, they would not have departed from us to form a sect of themselves.

That they were not all of us – They were not expelled from the Christian Church; they were not sent out by us; but they separated from it and us. None of them had been inspired as we apostles were, though they pretended to a very high teaching; but their separating from us manifested that they were not taught, as we were, by the Spirit of God. These false teachers probably drew many sincere souls away with them.”

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