Can there really be a relationship with God the Father without having a relationship with Jesus Christ? John the apostle has been addressing that very question in the book of First John with us lately. He has been discussing having fellowship with God and the barriers and distractions that keep people away from having a relationship with God, and now his attention has been upon those who are “antichrist”. Today he says this more emphatically in chapter two verse twenty-three:
Whosoever denies the Son, the same has not the Father: [(but) he that acknowledges the Son has the Father also].
According to John, there is a direct connection between having a relationship with Jesus, God's Son, and God the Father. This verse says it so strongly that there is no denying it. If we are to have fellowship with God, we must have a relationship with Jesus. This is why anything other than this is “antichrist”. It's against Christ whenever there is any substitute offered.
Remember, these writings are from John the apostle who was so very close to Jesus that he lay his head on Jesus' chest at the “last supper”. These words come from the one in whom Jesus left His mother's care while he was on the cross. These words come from the last living disciple who was actually with Jesus whose life was spared through being boiled in oil and exiled to the island of Patmos, and he says, “Whoever denies the Son, the same has not the Father, but he that acknowledges the Son has the Father also.”
So, the question of the day is, “Do we deny the Son or acknowledge Him?” If we do, we have fellowship with God. If we do not, we do not have fellowship with God. Perhaps this is one of the most probing statements that have been introduced by John the apostle, and the gravity of them is worth great meditation.
Next time we are encouraged to allow what was given to us at the beginning to stay in us. Read ahead, and we will share together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, find locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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