In 1 John 2:7-11 we find the Almighty telling us through the apostle that His Word has not changed since Moses began writing under the power of the Holy Spirit. The only difference between the old and new writings is the addition of Jesus Christ in person and the offering of grace to all those who will live lives of holiness following the removal of all past sins. By living the life commanded by the Lord one has  “no cause for stumbling.” Which brings us to verse 11 where we are told that we are indeed our brothers’ keepers. When we live holy lives as did Jesus Christ (1 Jn. 2:6) we set the right example for our spiritual brethren–we do not cause others to stumble.

Those who obey the doctrines of the Institutional Church cause all those who know them to “stumble at the Law”–reject God’s Word, thereby separating themselves from God (Mal. 2:8/ 1 Pt. 2:8). Breaking the Law is sin (1 Jn. 3:4). Sin separates the sinner from God (Isa. 59:2). Therefore, by following in the church’s heathen traditions, beliefs and doctrines, parishioners are leading those who know them and follow their example away from the Lord. We are our brothers’ keepers, whether for good or bad. It is Satan who prompts both the churched and the unchurched to be bad role models for others to see and follow. In 2:14 those who truly know the Lord are given the key to nullifying the pull of the devil on their lives. Here John tells them that, by having the Word of God abiding in their lives, they are able to overcome Satan. As is always the case, having the Word of God abiding in us is the key to all things, provided we obey that Word. We must remember that Satan knows and believes the Bible more than any of us. His problem lies in the area of obedience.

John confirms the Lord’s strength-from-Scripture theme in verses 24,25. Here he commands God’s people to let the Word of God abide in them. Note the use of the word “let,” meaning that doing so or not doing so was their choice. Remember the five foolish virgins who chose not to let God’s Word abide in them, causing Him to take His Holy Spirit from them. Note that “IF” church people allowed God’s Word to abide in them they would abide in the Father and the Son. In verse 25 John makes it clear that only those who abide in the Godhead will receive eternal life. We abide in Father and Son only by obeying Their Holy Word. Faith alone will not result in salvation.

To have Biblical faith is to believe God’s Holy Bible (Rom. 10:17). As the Apostle James tells us in 2:14,17,18,20,24,26, faith without works (obedience to God) is dead faith. We are told that we must live by faith. Therefore, if our faith is dead, we are dead (spiritually). The spiritually dead will die physically and eternally. Verse 17 confirms this by telling us that only “he who does the will of God lives forever.” God’s will is that we obey His Word. Notice that it does not say that he who believes in Jesus Christ, takes Him as his Savior, joins the church, gets baptized, etc. lives forever. TO LIVE ETERNALLY WE MUST OBEY GOD NOW. Without obedience to the Word/Law/Commandments of God nothing else, not even faith, matters.

In verses 18,19 of chapter two John writes about Antichrists within the church who had (have) “gone out from us” spiritually. These “Antichrists” were still in the church, and in leadership positions. Otherwise they could have no influence on the congregations. The false prophets had left God’s people spiritually by preaching false doctrines instead of the doctrines of Christ. For this reason God calls them “Antichrists.” ANY CHURCH MESSENGER WHO DEVIATES FROM THE BIBLE IS AN ANTICHRIST. In 2:18 John warned the church that there were many antichrists in the church at that time, and that there would be many more coming. Today 99.9% of all so-called Christian ministers are Antichrists, as this website has proven time and again.

In verses 20-25 we find a passage that is used by false Christians to “prove” that they are who they say they are. These people readily confess that “Jesus is the Christ” (22), thereby “proving” that they are His brethren and that they acknowledge Him as God’s Son. However, verse 24 shows us that God requires more than words. The verse begins with the Word “Therefore,” meaning that what comes next is referring to the previous statement: “Let that (God’s Word) abide in you …. IF what you have been taught abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.” Such abiding (obedience) will produce eternal life (25). In verse 23 we are told that to not allow God’s Word to abide in us is to “deny” both the Father and the Son. As Christians we must believe and obey God’s Word. THIS IS THE ONLY BIBLICAL PROOF THAT WE ARE HIS SONS. If we fail to obey Him we DENY BOTH HIM AND HIS SON. This fact is voiced by Jesus Himself in Luke 10:16 where He states that anyone who rejects anything He has said rejects both Him and His Father. Verse 29 summarizes the entire Bible: “If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born (begotten–converted) of Him.” Those who remain begotten to the end will inherit eternal life (Mat. 10:22). L.J.