22nd June 2024

22nd June 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (1 John 5v1-5)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


I was once asked in a job interview about my "red lines" or to put it another way, I was asked about the things that I wouldn't compromise on. That interview was a very long time ago and I can't remember my response but I do know that there are several "red lines" when it comes to following the Lord.


What do I mean? John said that to be a Christian is to believe that Jesus is the Christ (v1). The person who follows Jesus is someone who believes and acknowledges Jesus to be the chosen one of God. Christ is the Saviour and friend of sinners and anyone with a credible profession of faith cannot escape the reality of the person and work of Christ.


Furthermore, a true believer is someone who loves the Father (v1b). Marcion was a man who once did his best to divide the Old and the New Testament. He believed that the God of the Old Testament was angry and malicious whilst the God of the New Testament was full of grace. Marcion was wrong. Scripture teaches us that there is one God who has revealed Himself in three persons who are all equal. We cannot call ourselves Christian if we have no love for the Father nor are we on the right path if we pit the Father and Son against one another.


Talk of "red lines" can seem to some as unnecessarily confrontational. Is any of this really that important? Absolutely. The Lord has spoken and declared that the follower of Christ loves God and obeys His commandments. In turn, this displays itself in how we love our brothers and sisters in the faith (v2). Once more this can be described as a "red line" of the faith. We are not saved by obedience but obedience is the fruit of saving faith. Indeed, the Christian doesn't consider obedience as a chore, John states rightly that God's commandments are not a burden (v3).


Therefore, pulling all of this together, we can state our "red lines" of the faith in this manner - a Christian declares Jesus to be the Christ and looks to Him by faith. This person is not a Marcionite but instead someone who loves the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This declaration and love displays itself in willing obedience to the commands of God.


Ultimately, a true Christian will be kept until the last day and never fall away. Such a person will overcome this evil world and all of it's traps and snares. How is this victory assured? By our faith (v4). Who will overcome and see heaven? The one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God (v5). 


A faith that relegates Jesus to a lesser position or one that denies the Father or one that mocks any notion of obedience is no faith at all. May we not be deceived by the modern day Marcionites or those for whom obedience is an optional extra. By God's grace may our faith be found genuine when we stand before Jesus Christ our Lord.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q72 What is forbidden in the seventh commandment? The seventh commandment forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions.