Bible
Study: 1st John 2, 18 to 21 and John 1, 1 to 18.
Whenever
the word “Antichrist” is mentioned, our minds tend to go directly to the devil
but a better understanding of that word is in the context it appears in today’s
first reading. The antichrist is not necessary the devil himself but anyone who
claims to profess faith in Christ yet brings about division and distortion of
the truth among Christians.
According
to John, “So many antichrists have come; therefore we know that it is the last
hour. They went out from us, but they
were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us;
but they went out, that it might be plain that they all are not of us…. I write
to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and
know that no lie is of the truth.” 1 John 2, 18 to 21.
From what
John says, it is either we are Pro-Christ or Anti-Christ. We cannot be the both
at the same time. It is either we are promoting Christ by our life or we are
giving a wrong message about Christ to the world. In Christ, there is no
division, anyone who is championing division in the Church not for Christ.
Six days
ago, we celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ into the human race. Why was Jesus
born among us? To bring us life and this life is the light and this light
entails that we live above sin in a world that has been so crippled by
darkness. If we call ourselves Christians, then our lives ought to shine like
bright stars in the world, that is, there has to be a difference in our pattern
of life. However from the way many Christians live today, from the way they
pretend to be in the light while full of darkness inside, we can only conclude
that there are more Antichrists in the church than there are true Christians.
Jesus
himself told us that it is by their fruits that we would know the antichrists. “Beware
of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are
ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits…“Not everyone who says to
me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of
my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7, 15 to 21.
John says
in our Gospel passage: “The true light that enlightens every man was coming
into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet
the world knew him not. He came to his own home, and his own people received
him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power
to become children of God.” John 1, 9 to 12.
Have I
fully received Christ? Am I a wolf in sheep clothing? Do I outwardly claim to
be for Christ yet act against him in private? And finally, as a child of God,
what are my New Year resolutions?
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, I belong to you, may I never be anti-Christ by what I do, say or
think. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you and Merry Christmas
Fr. Abu.
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