Compare 1 John 2:22 with Matthew 10:33 on denying Christ. \Key texts\ 1 John 2:22: “Who is the liar, if not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son.” Matthew 10:33: “But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven.” \What does it mean to “deny” Christ?\ • To contradict or refuse the truth about Jesus’ identity, authority, and saving work • To reject His rightful place as Messiah, Lord, and Son of God • To distance oneself from Him publicly or privately, in word or deed (Titus 1:16; 2 Timothy 2:12) \The liar unmasked (1 John 2:22)\ • John zeroes in on doctrinal denial: claiming Jesus is not the Christ (Messiah) • Such denial is labeled “the antichrist” spirit—opposition to both Father and Son • The issue is not ignorance but deliberate rejection of revealed truth (John 3:19–20) \The consequence spelled out (Matthew 10:33)\ • Jesus warns of relational denial: disowning Him “before men” • The response is reciprocal—He will deny that person “before My Father in heaven” • This is final and judicial, echoing Psalm 2:12 and Revelation 3:5 \Shared themes\ • Denial is personal (directed at Christ Himself) and doctrinal (rejecting His messiahship) • Both passages stress public accountability: what we confess or deny now matters eternally • The seriousness stems from Jesus’ unique role as the only way to the Father (John 14:6) \How confession safeguards the soul\ • Romans 10:9–10 – Confessing “Jesus is Lord” accompanies saving faith • 1 John 4:2–3 – True confession acknowledges Jesus Christ “has come in the flesh” • Hebrews 10:23 – “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering” Practical steps: – Stay anchored in Scripture; let truth shape speech and lifestyle – Rely on the Holy Spirit for boldness (Acts 4:31) – Gather with believers for mutual encouragement (Hebrews 10:24–25) \Illustrations of denial and restoration\ • Peter’s three denials (Luke 22:54–62) show weakness of fear; his later bold confession (Acts 2:14–36) shows grace that restores the repentant • Judas’ rejection (John 13:27) illustrates calculated betrayal leading to destruction \Living it out\ • Confess Christ clearly in conversation, service, and moral choices • Refuse cultural pressures that downplay His exclusivity • Anticipate Jesus’ promise: “Everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess before My Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:32) |
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