Tonight’s Bible study took a slightly different form, involving litmus tests! Generally, a litmus test is understood as being a way of testing for an acid or an alkali in chemistry, so we did various experiments to find out if these liquids were acids or alkalis.
Such an approach might seem to have little to do with 1 John 2:18-27, but the second meaning of ‘litmus test’ is ‘a test that uses a single indicator to prompt a decision.’ John is giving us, in this portion of Scripture, a doctrinal test that enables us to distinguish between true and false. In a day and age when there are many antichrists (1 John 2:18), we need to be able to discern between the true and the false, and just as John has previously given us tests connected with obedience (1 John 2:3-6) and with love (1 John 2:7-11), now he enables us to see how right belief is necessary for right living, for we must be able to recognise who is the liar. (1 John 2:22) This is crucial, for what we claim to be true has to be evidenced in our lives; what we say we believe (and what we actually believe!) will determine the kind of fruit we bear (see James 2:14-26 and Matt 7:15-20).
John tells us it is our core beliefs about God, and specifically our understanding of the Fatherhood of God and the doctrine of Jesus Christ His Son, which will act as the litmus test for faith. (1 John 2:22-23). Whilst we may debate endlessly about who is the antichrist or what John means by ‘the last hour’, the key truth is that there are only two forces at work in today’s world:
- Truth, working through the Church by the Holy Spirit
- Evil, working in the world through the energy of Satan
We need not be afraid, even though lies may be spread by those in sheep’s clothing, for God has already overcome the world. (John 16:33) We have an anointing from the truth, the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us and leading us into all truth. (1 John 2:20-21, 25)
Further studies on these verses will look at 3 key questions. Think about these before the next Bible study!
- How do we balance confidence with uncertainty?
- How do we recognise truth from lies?
- Why does it matter what we believe about God?