Stand Firm in Heavenly Adoption

A Study in First John

Hope Ellen Rapson

“Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist---he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this what he promised us---even eternal life.” (1 John 2: 22-24)

The Apostle John lived long enough to see “antichrists” coming into the church. By this time the other ten faithful disciples of Christ had been martyred for sharing the true nature and Gospel of Jesus. 

Today, these pastors, teachers, and leaders, discredit or totally deny the truth that Jesus was God in flesh providing through His death a sacrifice for the forgiveness of mankind, and through His resurrection opening up the gates of eternal life; they are called “apostates.” 

Apostates deceive their followers with lies that take the heart of Christianity - that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ - out of churches. As did the antichrists of John’s day, they use the trappings of religion to perpetuate their own ideas and ambitions. At the heart of their teachings and lifestyles is a denial that Jesus is “God in Flesh” and "Risen Lord".

A Doctor of Divinity once said, “It does not matter whether or not you believe in the resurrection of Jesus; Christianity is about kindness, nothing else.” 

That is an eviscerated Gospel. Jesus clearly stated, “I am the Resurrection and the Life, He that believes in me shall live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26). 

Jesus also said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me” (John 14:6).

He is the beloved Son of God who was given “that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”(John 2:16) 

The disciples died and suffered for their eyewitness proclamation: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1: 14)

Confessing Christians sometimes have doubts. They sometimes fail in obedience to Jesus Christ. We are frail beings. We falter in our Christian walk and witness. However, that does not mean we are apostates; an apostate never recognizes Jesus as God in the flesh and the Risen Lord.

The faltering Christian still knows in the depths of their being that they are “born again.” How? Because when a person is “born again,” the Holy Spirit takes up residence within that person and anoints them as an adopted son or daughter of God. (John 1:12-13) 

The Holy Spirit prompts them to repent, and convicts them of their need to walk with the living Lord. Regardless of their struggles, they can and be restored and trust Jesus Christ again as their Savior and Lord.

John admonishes believers: “As for you, this anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you, but as his anointing teaches you about all things, and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit---just as it has taught you, remain in Him. And now, dear children, continue in Him, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at his coming.” (1 John 2: 27-28).

The second proof that one is born again is a firm belief that Jesus Christ is exactly who He said He is.

Related reading: The First Proof That One is Born Again