Jesus is the only way, truth, and life.

1 John 2:18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. I think it is helpful to connect these verses to the previous verses about the love of the world. We learn from this verse how we know it is the last hour—many antichrists have appeared and the love of the world drives them. This has been true since the first century, so it’s been a long last hour or time period. The prefix anti conveys the idea of someone who is over against Christ or instead of Christ. When Jesus’ disciples asked about His return, Jesus replied, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many” (Matt. 24:4-5). They might be considered “false Christs.” The term Christ literally means anointed one which was understood as the Messiah. With these thoughts in mind, we can understand what the church was confronted with. We learn from the next verse that there were people who had gone out of the fellowship of the church because the “Christ” they followed was another “Christ” than Jesus Christ. Today, these people go by the title of “progressive Christians.” Some will call themselves “exvangelicals.” They deny that Jesus was God in the flesh who died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and after three days was raised from the dead according to the Scriptures. They deny the virgin birth, the miracles, and the resurrection, yet at the same time say they believe in or follow Jesus. This is from the progressivechristianity.org website. “Progressive Christianity is an open, intelligent and collaborative approach to the Christian tradition and the life and teachings of Jesus that create pathways into an authentic and relevant religious experience.” You can get an idea of what they think love is from their first three tenets. 1. Believe that following the way and teachings of Jesus can lead to experiencing sacredness, wholeness, and unity of all life, even as we recognize that the Spirit moves in beneficial ways in many faith traditions. 2. Seek community that is inclusive of all people, honoring differences in theological perspective, age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, class, or ability. 3. Strive for peace and justice among all people, knowing that behaving with compassion and selfless love towards one another is the fullest expression of what we believe. This is today’s version of what John warned about in these verses. Living to love with Jesus isn’t man trying to have selfless love in his own strength so he can be happy in this life and strive for peace and justice among all people. True Christians are those who have the life of Jesus dwelling within who loves through them for the glory of God. They believe Jesus is the only way, truth, and the life because they have satisfying fellowship with the Father, God, through Him. That satisfaction and fullness in God’s love is what overcomes the world with its antichrists. Let this verse encourage us to hold fast to the living Lord Jesus Christ and express His love to those God puts in our paths, knowing that the time of His return draws near. We are in the last days. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.