Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
1 John 4:1-3
First, it’s important to understand the warning John delivered to anyone who might be tempted to follow a false teacher, an antichrist. The Spirit of God confirms Jesus as the Christ, the Savior of the world. Any who teaches otherwise is a false teacher. Period.
Does that sound a little blunt? Consider what Former NASCAR champion, Darrell Waltrip, said at a National Prayer Breakfast several years ago. Many leaders were in attendance including President Obama and his guest, the Dali Lama. Waltrip told of his personal journey to faith in Christ and he said,
“If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, if you don’t have a relationship, if he’s not the master of your life, if you’ve never gotten on your knees and asked him to forgive you of your sins, or if you are just a pretty good guy or a pretty good gal, you’re going to go to hell.”
Darrell Waltrip
Does that make you feel a little uncomfortable? Too candid?
Consider this. The Apostle John was just as black and white in his own belief in Christ. John spent three years with Jesus during His ministry. He saw the miracles. He heard the teaching. He witnessed the crucifixion and, more importantly, he met face to face with the risen Christ.
It sounds exclusive, especially in our day, but the message of Christ is inclusive to all who will believe.
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