311. Thursday after Eighth Sunday after Trinity.
Lord, let thy word of truth
light us onward
on the true way of faith. Amen.
1 John 4, 1-4. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
❦
“Beware of false prophets,’’ says the Lord. And here the apostle admonishes us, saying: “Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” Love is kindly and trusting; it thinks no evil; it believes all things, and hopes all things, and puts the most charitable construction on everything; but at the same time it is watchful, and sensitive as the eye, against that which is false and wicked. And how very necessary this is! We must by no means think ourselves secure; but be alive to the fact that the shafts of falsehood are everywhere whistling about our ears. The devil allows himself no rest; wherever the word of God is preached he is always on hand to pour his venom into the hearts, sometimes as one who appeals to our reason, and sometimes as our sympathetic friend. And, unfortunately, he does not lack servants; there are many enough who are more than willing to do his errands.
In our text the Holy Ghost gives us a sure token by which we may know the antichrists: “Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God.” That is to say; he is a false prophet who does not teach that Jesus Christ is true God and true man in one person. On the other hand, “every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.” That is: He who teaches, and confirms it by his life, that Jesus is the Son of God is a servant of God; for “no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.”
Usually the antichrists have sought to disguise themselves in the garb of one who imitates Christ; and they always profess to teach the true Christian religion in a new and purified form. In our times they come forward with shameless impudence, and openly deny the Father and the Son, and have the effrontery to call this advanced Christianity! “The old faith is obsolete, away with it; away with that old trumpery! The new age needs a new faith.” Now, you know, dear Christians, what manner of spirit this is. It is fortunate that Saint John has given us an unmistakable mark by which the antichrists may be known. Everything which wants to do away with the old articles of faith, “the dogmas,” as they call them; the doctrine concerning the Son of God, and the atoning power of his blood; — is in truth the voice of the antichrist. — These people imagine that the future is theirs; and in a sense this is but too true. We do not expect good and bright times. Nevertheless, John says: “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” The victory shall, then, be yours at the last. “Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves;” be kind and charitable, but watchful and earnest. Walk in the light everywhere as children of light. Have no fellowship with the antichrists!
O God, let thy light and thy truth be with us; let them guide us to thy holy hill and thy habitations. Keep us on the evil day; help us to stand steadfast against all the assaults of falsehood, and always to speak the truth in love. Amen.*
Oh, keep us in thy word, we pray;
The guile and rage of Satan stay;
Unto thy church grant, Lord, thy grace,
Peace, concord, patience, fearlessness.
A trusty weapon is thy word,
Thy church’s buckler, shield and sword;
Lord, let us by this word abide,
That we may seek no other guide.
[TLH 292, LSB 585, ELH 511; listen here]
* Here the head of the family says a short morning or evening prayer in his own words, and closes with the Lord’s Prayer and the Benediction. This is to be done every day. If the stanzas are not sung, they may be read in their proper place before the impromptu petition and the Lord’s Prayer.