Truth: The Doctrinal Test
1 John 2:18–27
All of you know the truth. 1 John 2:20 (NIV)

Christians must learn that questions concerning truth matter. Unfortunately, there is a tendency in some Christian circles to minimize thought and to substitute for it either ethical demands, sometimes conceived quite legalistically, or subjective experiences, such as so-called “second blessings” or “tongues” or the mere obligation to “love.” Not all of these substitute items are bad, of course. In fact, the tests of life, which John is giving, include the test of obedience and the test of love. But in addition to these there is also the very important test of truth; and it is so important that John can even declare that those who do not hold to the truth concerning Jesus are of the antichrist. Truth, as it is contained in the Scriptures and as it is revealed in Jesus Christ, is an objective standard. It provides a basis for making judgments and it reveals error. Consequently, Christians should be concerned with truth, should seek to understand it with increasing fullness, and should proclaim it to the world.

Second, there is the matter of Christian responsibility where truth is concerned. It is true that believers have an “anointing” and have no need that anyone should “teach” them. But this only means that any valid and therefore useful teaching of the Lord’s people must be done by those who are themselves among the Lord’s people and that, if Christians are confronted by the false teaching of unbelievers, they have within themselves the means of exploring the Scriptures and thus dividing truth from error. But this may not be construed as an excuse for failing to remain in the truth by conscious effort and determination. Here the key term is “abide” or “remain” (menō in Greek), which occurs five times in the last verses of this section and with which the passage closes. True, the Word abides in all Christians, but for this reason they are to allow it to abide in them increasingly. The Holy Spirit also abides in them, but they are also to abide in him or Christ.

Third, there are the means by which every Christian should achieve victory over error in life: the Word of God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Both are necessary. Without the Spirit, knowledge of the Word becomes but a bitter orthodoxy. Without the Word, the experience of the Spirit can lead to the most unjustified and damaging of excesses. The only safeguard against either and therefore the only sure defense against heresy is to have abiding within us both the Word from which we learn and the Holy Spirit who teaches it to us.

Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865

Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.