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Stick to the Fundamentals

July 28th, 2023

1 John 1:3-10

The context for 1 John 1 is important. John may have been the only living apostle at the time this letter was written. As the primitive church began moving farther away from the resurrection of Christ, there were alternative teachings circulating that Jesus was not human and not born of a virgin. Some even taught that the “Christ” descended on Jesus (an ordinary man) at His baptism.

While these teachings may seem far-fetched, the truth is that even today, there are those trying to make the gospel something other than what Jesus revealed during His life and ministry. John wanted to remind Christ-followers that those alternative teachings were “darkness.” There is no light in distortions of the gospel.

Many today are trying to redefine the gospel, but maybe not in ways we think. Before we latch on to any teaching it must meet the test of Scripture—not in the legalistic sense but the Scripture as lived and breathed by Jesus. We are confronted with many complex issues in society today. However, we must seek to reject legalisms and cling to gospel truths and the essential character of God.

Author: Carol Rittenhouse