Treasuring God's Truth in Your Heart

1 John 2:18-19: God’s Good Purging

1 John 2:18-19: Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 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 it might become plain that they all are not of us. [1]

 Some words can only be described as “theological grenades”: words that spark a series of often conflicting opinions. One of those words is “antichrist” and it is in verse 18. Why does John mention one antichrist then several in the same verse? John is helping us see that the antichrist is someone who denies Jesus Christ’s deity and work. [2] Verse 19 reveals these antichrists have come from the church. [3] This does not mean that the church is erroneous, but that there are people who are not saved in church. [4] The reality that unbelievers are in church, and they will leave and spread their sin should not alarm true Christians. [5] Rather, God’s purging His church calls real believers to thank God for His work in giving them salvation and perseverance, and to guard the church. [6]

 If John called his readers to rejoice in Christ’s salvation and to vigilance over doctrine years ago, how much more so should we? [7] We fail to love when we let someone live in improper doctrine. [8] While this is not ground for theological bullying, we cannot be cowards either. [9] One of the most loving things we can do is joyfully tell others about their need for Christ, as someone else lovingly told us.

This blog was written by Seth Dunn

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Logos Bible Software. All Scripture references will be ESV unless noted otherwise.

[2] 1 John 2:22. See also John Calvin. Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles. Trans. and ed.: John Owen. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1979), 190-191.

[3] Calvin. Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles, 191.

[4] Calvin. Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles, 191-192.

[5] Calvin. Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles, 192.

[6] Calvin. Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles, 192.

[7] Calvin. Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles, 191.

[8] Bruce K. Waltke. The Book of Proverbs: Chapters 1-15. (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2004), 440-441.

[9] Charles Bridges. A Commentary on Proverbs. (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2008). 87.

Treasuring God's Truth in Your Heart

Proverbs 1:10: Taking No Chances

Proverbs 1:10: “My son, if sinners entice you,

do not consent.” [1]

Proverbs is a book of God’s guidance for His people, [2] which provides general rules on how to navigate life. [3] In Proverbs 1:10-19, Solomon encourages believers to avoid engaging in sinners’ destructive actions. [4] “Sinners” refers to people who live outside Scripture’s standards. [5]

Here is the problem: none of us have kept the Bible’s requirements. [6] Our only solution: Jesus Christ. [7] If you do not follow Christ, do not trust your efforts to live well because your efforts have no chance. [8] Give yourself to Christ by admitting your sin, and trust Him solely. Only then will you be saved. [9] If you claim to follow Christ, live in His ways- not the world’s. [10] Proverbs 1:10 instructs us to not even give approval to sinners’ destructive plans. [11] We are called to take no chances with sin, because sin destroys. [12] In avoiding sin, we will face the world’s ridicule. [13] But remaining in Christ by His Holy Spirit is to remain in truth and salvation. [14] Salvation is in Christ because He has lived the perfect life we cannot. [15] At the same time, His Holy Spirit does enable our righteous living. [16]

This blog was written by Seth Dunn

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton, IL: Standard Bible Society, 2016), Logos Bible Software 6. All Scripture references will be ESV unless noted otherwise.

[2] Bruce K. Waltke. The Book of Proverbs: Chapters 1-15. (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2004), 174.

[3] Iain Duguid. “Wisdom Literature” (Lecture: Westminster Theological Seminar, Glenside, PA, March 28, 2017). See also Proverbs 1:7, and Waltke, Proverbs, 174.

[4] Waltke, Proverbs, 188. Also, Proverbs 1:8-19 and Andrew Styer “The Violence of Foolishness.” ProclamationPca.com. Accessed July 3, 2018. http://proclamationpca.com/proverbs-the-wisdom-of-god/.

[5] Waltke, Proverbs, 189.

[6] Romans 3:10-23, 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-10.

[7] Matthew 5:17-20; John 14:6, Galatians 2:11-5:7; 1 John 3:5-8.

[8] Romans 3:28, 11:6; Ephesians 2:8-10.

[9] Acts 4:12.

[10] Romans 12:2, 1 John 2:1-3:24.

[11] Waltke, Proverbs, 190.

[12] Genesis 3; Psalm 141:10; Proverbs 3:35, 5:22, 12:12-13, 13:5-6, 29:6; Isaiah 57:21; Romans 5:12-21, 6:23; 1 Corinthians 3:3; Ephesians 4:17-19.

[13] John 15:18; 1 John 3:15.

[14] Matthew 10:22; John 8:31-32, 14:6.

[15] Luke 24:44-49; Galatians 5:16-25.

[16] Romans 8:11-13.