The book of 1 John is replete with passages from the apostle admonishing us to abide in Christ. Some versions translate the word “abide” as “remain”. Both words convey what is at stake here. It’s not enough to believe in the gospel and accept Jesus as your Lord in a single moment in time. Those whose commitment to Christ is genuine will spend their lives seeking to be more like Jesus (1 John 2:6).
They will desire to abide in Him because they feel out of place anywhere else (Philippians 3:19-20; John 15:4-5). To remain in Him is to avoid being swayed by every false teaching, tossed about by any new so-called revelation (Ephesians 4:14). The Lord doesn’t want us to chase after religious fads or whims, but only to abide in Him (Colossians 2:6-7).
To abide in Him, we must be wary of false teachings and teachers. John devotes several verses in his first epistle to warning against such people (1 John 2:18-23) and exhorting us to be discerning about what is true (1 John 4:1-6). The Apostle Paul also warns that in the last days, people won’t want sound doctrine, but will prefer whatever makes them feel good and fits with how they want to live (2 Timothy 4:3).
Humans have an insatiable desire for something new. We’re never satisfied with what we have and always want more. The joy of acquiring or learning something new fades as soon as something even newer arrives on the scene. Our satisfaction never seems to last and we are ever seeking the new thing. Some professing Christians are like this. Instead of being content to abide in Christ, they want some new teaching or revelation that will help them be happier, healthier, or more successful. I think many are more interested in what they can get from Jesus than they are content to abide in Him (John 6:26-27).
Every generation has its share of false teachers, or antichrists as John calls them (1 John 2:18-19), and we have no shortage of such charlatans today. From preachers teaching that the Old Testament is irrelevant (Jesus didn’t think so, see Matthew 5:17-19) to pastors proclaiming we should celebrate sinful behaviors for the sake of appearing loving (Paul taught against such things in 1 Corinthians 5:11), compromise is permeating the pulpits, internet, and bookstores. If we want to avoid falling for the many deceptions circulating throughout the Church, we must be diligent to remain in Christ.
Put aside any teaching that doesn’t align with scripture. God’s Word is straightforward and easy to understand. If someone has to do mental or linguistic gymnastics to prove their point, they are distorting the very simple and clear message of the gospel. Run away from such teachers. God’s Word is complete, authoritative, and true (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 119:160). Any teaching that adds or takes away from it is nothing more than the foolishness of man (1 John 4:4-6; Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19). Jesus is the only way and the only truth (John 14:6). We find life in Him alone (John 10:10; 1 John 5:11-12), so tune out the noise of those proclaiming a different gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). Abide in Him, and you will find peace, rest, and eternal life (Matthew 11:28-30; John 15:9-11).