Who Is a Liar But He That Denies That Jesus is The Christ

1 John 2:22. New American Standard Bible 22 Who is the liar except the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son.

The word liar here is the Greek word pseustēs it means a liar, one who breaks faith, a false and faithless man. During John’s day there was an individual named Cerinthus. His claim was that Jesus was simply human. That at Jesus baptism the anointing of the Christ came upon Him and at the crucifixion when Jesus went to the cross the Christ left Him. He taught that Jesus and the Christ were two different people or things. He denied the deity of Jesus Christ.

This has been the plan and scheme of the enemy from the beginning after the cross. Throughout history major cults have arisen who have claimed to be Christian, but who have rejected the deity of Jesus Christ. Example is the Jehovah Witness. They will claim that Jesus is the Son of God but will deny that He is God. They believe that before Jesus came to earth, he was created and was the arch angel Michael. That when Jesus came to the earth Michael became Jesus. It is impossible to come to saving faith without believing that Jesus is God.

The false teachers of John’s day who John referred to as antichrists were those who denied the deity of Jesus Christ. They claimed to be fellow believers but were actually wolves in sheep’s clothing. Antichrist means one who is against Christ. Jesus last name is not Christ. When we see the name Jesus Christ, Christ speaks of the anointed one. Using the term Jesus Christ is the same as saying that Jesus is the anointed one or He is the Messiah.

It is impossible to come to the Father without the Son. Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Jesus said broad is the road that leads to destruction and many will walk on it. But narrow is the road that leads to life and few will find it (Matthew 7:13-14). Jesus also said that He is the door (John 10:9-16). The reason that Jesus is the only way to the Father is because of His sinless life and His precious blood.

His precious blood atones for our sins. His sacrifice and shed blood pay the debt and penalty that we are unable to pay because of sin. No matter how many good works we do we will never be able to fully pay the debt we owe to Almighty God because of our sin. He is Holy, righteous, and perfect and cannot be in the presence of sin. His righteousness and justice require that He deals rightly with sin. Because of this in His mercy He poured out His wrath upon His Son instead of us. Anyone who would humble themselves and receive what Christ has done will receive the precious gift of salvation and be able to draw near to the Father without fear.

John has written this letter to combat false teaching and false teachers. Just as in John’s day, false teaching and false teachers are alive and well. Far too many Christians have been lulled to sleep because of comfort and distraction. Today we clamor to charismatic personality and cool experiences, without taking the time to truly examine what is being preached and taught. We must follow the example that the Berean set in the book of Acts. When Paul came ministering to them, they examined every word diligently against scripture (Acts 17:10-15). It is only through rightly knowing the truth of God’s word that our hearts will be guarded, we will live victoriously, and we will be protected from every scheme and purpose of the enemy.