The major theme in the book of First John is that of Christology: the Apostle John wants us to know, understand, and believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you have eternal life.

In John’s day, as in our day as well, there were false teachers who were peddling a false Jesus. In John’s day, the false teachers were saying that Jesus was a good man, but that He was not God1. They taught that Jesus’ death on the cross had no salvation value whatsoever. Jesus is reduced to simply a good man, a good teacher, and a good example; but He is not the Savior of the world nor the Son of God.

This false understanding of Jesus destroys faith; anyone who believes that has lost their salvation and their hope of eternal life. The stakes are high; eternal salvation is on the line. So the Apostle John writes forcefully: Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist̶ denying the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 1 John 2:22-23

Today guard your faith and the doctrines of Holy Scripture. Think through your Christology, go back and study the Second Article of the Apostles Creed in your Small Catechism, and know, understand, and believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world who gives you eternal life! Amen!