DEVOTION – DAY 143

1 John 2:19 “Turning Away”

 

I John 2:19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us

 

The apostle John wrote about false teachers and fake Christians that had left the church in the 1st century. At that time, false teachers in some churches taught that the work of Jesus on the cross was not necessary for a person’s salvation. In order to dispute such false teachings, John wrote his circular letter, 1 John, to be sent to various churches in Asia Minor.

Sadly, the presence of false teachers and fake Christians are also present today. Recently, in the US, Dr. Paul Maxwell, a professor of theology, and one of the writers that contributes to the Desiring God ministry announced that he was no longer a Christian. He posted on his Instagram feed that he had turned his back on Christianity and he was very happy. Another high-profile Christian singer, Marty Nelson of Hillsong, the Australian well-known church group, also announced that he was no longer a Christian. How could people who had spent a significant part of their life studying the Bible, worshipping God, and writing about God, or leading others to worship God, turn away from God?

We find the answer in the above verse. John tells us that people like Paul Maxwell and Marty Nelson could leave the church because they did not belong to the family of Christians. They were never part of the family of Christ in the first place. People may grow up in Christian families and attend churches since they were young. They may have heard the gospel message countless times but they never took it into their hearts nor did it mean anything to them personally. They may even have said the sinner’s prayer because it was expected of them to do so. But it did not move them inwardly. That was why John said, “none of them belonged to us.” Eventually, their true nature will surface and they will turn their backs on Christianity. They were only outwardly living the life of a Christian. Going to church was a religious activity. Praying and worshipping God was just another religious activity. They never had a personal relationship with the living God. If they had a relationship with the living God, they would never turn their backs on Jesus Christ. Rom.8:38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.”

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for your assurance that our salvation is secured in Christ and nothing can separate us from your love. We pray for those who have fallen away that they may turn back to receive your saving grace through your Son, the Lord Jesus. In His mighty name we pray. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. How can anyone be sure of their salvation? Discuss.
  2. Do you know someone who has turned their back on Jesus? What can you do to help them?
  3. What impact would prominent Christians like Paul Maxwell and Marty Nelson have on others by their public rejection of Jesus in their lives? Discuss.
  4. How can you help nominal Christians have a deeper relationship with the Lord?