| As we have made our way through John first | | | | questionable, would you be aware - would you |
| letter there is a question which arises and which | | | | recognise it? |
| needs answering. We have been asking that | | | | If you have the Holy Spirit in your heart - in your |
| question, is Jesus of Nazareth both God and Man, | | | | life - you have the greatest Power in the world. |
| in the flesh? At the end of Chapter 3 and into | | | | We need to know that. The Spirit of Truth |
| Chapter 4 this is most relevant. It is a crucial test, | | | | overcomes the spirit of error. False love glosses |
| and we have to be clear on this. We need to | | | | over this! |
| know exactly who Jesus is in these days when | | | | Why do intelligent people go into the sects? |
| many people have various views about Jesus. | | | | Because they do not have the Holy Spirit. Why |
| This is what John is dealing with in this section. A | | | | do not so intelligent people go into the sects? |
| worthy leader will always take time to deal with | | | | Because they want to be wanted and the sects |
| real issues and this was one then and is an issue | | | | know how to appreciate people and give them |
| today. | | | | what they may need at that time. We have to |
| Many are concerned about how this world is being | | | | learn this vital lesson. People know when they are |
| led by second rate leaders just now, and into this | | | | wanted and loved and needed. |
| vacuum could easily step the anti-Christ. That is | | | | We - God's appointed and anointed servants - are |
| one of the reasons as to why we must be clear | | | | from God. |
| in our thinking regarding Jesus. If we are not right | | | | False prophets will not listen, and out they go, and |
| about Jesus Christ, it is not likely that we will be | | | | off they go. |
| right about anything else that really matters. | | | | Truth and error in a sense are people - people |
| Little children are so vulnerable - accepting things | | | | who speak truth or error. |
| which may not be true - and they can grow up | | | | Even though the world goes after them, John |
| and find that it is not true, and they can be misled | | | | says to these believers in Jesus, don't you go. |
| and disillusioned, and they begin to question what | | | | John is so mature and tender and loving, and yet, |
| is true. I never allowed Santa Claus in the church | | | | when he is speaking about error and false |
| in Cowdenbeath, because when children find out | | | | prophets he is so strong. |
| that it is not true, they may question all the rest | | | | John is saying, "I am telling you what not to |
| we have taught, and I am not prepared to take | | | | believe, and whom you should not believe, |
| that risk. | | | | because I love you and God loves you and Jesus |
| John writes in verse 4, I am not afraid for you - | | | | Christ loves you. |
| you have already overcome them - the false | | | | Be cautious - test everything - do not believe |
| prophets. False prophets have come in and have | | | | anyone or anything lightly - and do not be tolerant |
| left. You were not taken in. You have seen | | | | of error. Tolerance is not a Christian virtue but it |
| through it. | | | | can frequently display itself in the form of |
| Would you recognise a false prophet coming in | | | | superficial or false love. Light comes before love in |
| here? That is not a theoretical question. Or, if you | | | | the Bible, and not everyone is willing to accept |
| went somewhere and were taught something | | | | that. |