This teaching on 1 John ch2 vs. 14-29 was given by pastor Barry Forder on 6th December 2020 at Calvary Chapel Portsmouth’s on-line family service.
In this chapter John plainly states that if you are content (and find no real problem) with this world and the things of this world, if you are ‘given over’ to this world, you cannot at the same time be given over to God. You cannot serve two masters. Either God is your real love, so that you gladly forsake worldly gain for the infinitely better reward of a relationship with Him, or you put God to one side and love this world – a world that John reminds us is all going to be burnt up.
What matters most to you? Your career? Your material possessions? Your hobbies? Your football team? Your favorite TV soap or Netflix? Your friends or even your family?
Jesus said: “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” – Matthew 10:31
John then goes on to warn that false Christ’s will come – and are already around us, offering us alternative ways to ‘God’. These are just to forerunner to the Wicked One who is coming who will deceive the would world.
Deception will abound. Our only safeguard against deception is to abide in Jesus so that we can hear the gentle tender leading of His Holy Spirit.
These may be days full of challenges, there may be some difficult decisions to make, relationship and friendships that have to be severed, habits that must be broken, but there is the promise of reward and blessing greater than any of us can begin to imagine!
John’s message is to hold on! There is not much longer to wait!
