The Call to Perseverance (1 John 2:18–25) from South Woods Baptist Church on Vimeo.

We behave according to what we believe. The things we hold to be true and foundational inform the mind, will, and emotions. They powerfully drive the engine of life toward particular actions, ethics, and behavior.

So, if little thought is given to the details of the gospel then it shows up in behavior—but not in a good way.

Which means, when the mind, will, and emotions centers life in the world and not in Christ (i.e. 1 John 2:15-17), we may shift our belief system to accommodate our behavior. We may not reject everything about God so that we embrace atheism. But more subtly, we subtract the essentials of the faith while leaving a vague semblance of Christianity to pursue desires contrary to the holy life of Christ-followers. All the while, we maintain the respectable air of being Christian. We claim Jesus but bear no resemblance to Him. That’s not true Christianity.

John Stott points out that up to this point, the Apostle John has focused on two major issues that gives evidence that a person belongs to Christ: obeying Christ’s commandments and loving Christ’s people (2:3–11). Now, in our text, after making an application by explaining that only two possible loves exist—loving God or loving the world (see Matt’s sermon, “Do Not Love the World,” 4/23/17), John explains that holding particular doctrine in the face of opposition bears evidence to true faith in Christ [John Stott, TDNT: The Epistles of John, 103]. But I would go further in clarifying what the apostle teaches. It is not just passing a doctrinal test that qualifies a person as a true Christian (that was certainly not Stott’s implication). Rather John insists on doctrine that leads to perseverance bearing witness to one’s faith in Christ. Believing affects behavior and builds perseverance.

Some who had associated with the Ephesian church had abandoned the fellowship of the body to embrace another doctrine—that denied Jesus as the Christ—and a different life—that loved the world more than the Father. With that kind of strong influence in the wrong direction, what would keep others from doing the same? Only one thing can keep us in the faith. The indwelling Spirit keeps us persevering in Christ. But how?

1. Perseverance despite opposition

Perseverance implies continuation or sticking with something even when difficult and costly. A runner perseveres until she reaches the finish line even when her legs feel like Jell-o. A soldier continues in battle even when dangers and difficulties intensify. A worker perseveres on the job, pushing past tiredness and challenges to finish the task. Perseverance is part of life.

But a student pulled from the classroom wearing street shoes that hasn’t practiced probably won’t finish the race. A mercenary who has no sense of patriotism and loyalty to the fellow soldiers and the nation bails out when trouble comes. A worker that has no commitment to his job quits when things get rough. So perseverance is not just about gutting it out. Rather, in the biblical sense, perseverance depends on the inward disposition of the heart. Apart from the regenerating work of the Spirit, one who might have professed Christ at some point turns away from faithfully living as Jesus’ follower.

The congregation at Ephesus had been bombarded with false teaching. Opponents belittled the cherished doctrines of Christ’s two natures in one person. They made fun of those holding to the solitary work of Christ at the cross as the only way to God. John calls these opponents “antichrists.” The evidence proved that some among them had not persevered.

“Children, it is the last hour,” he wrote. By that, he didn’t necessarily mean that Jesus’ return was about to happen. Instead, the New Testament writers considered that period from the cross and resurrection that awaited the final, climatic return of Christ as “the last hour.” Peter called this period “the last days” (Acts 2:17; so d[...]