1 John 2:18-19 - Visible and invisible church

Scripture:

1 John 2:18-19
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.
19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us.
NASU


Thoughts:

Why is it that some Christians do not continue on in the faith?  Why do they turn away from the Lord and His church, to return to worldly passions and pursuits?  John offers a solution to this riddle that fits in many cases.  That is, they were not really believers to begin with (verse 19). 

It is sad to this day that we see this in the church, as a whole.  People who are part of what John Wycliffe first called the "visible" church (those we can see), but not the "invisible" church (those God knows are His, on the inside).  This is not to say that even true believers cannot stumble in their faith and tragically backslide for a time.  But thanks be to God that He does not forget those that belong to Him, though they may appear to forget Him for a time.


Prayer:

Lord, I pray for those involved in some way in our churches where the gospel is being proclaimed, that have never surrendered themselves to You.  I pray that this will be the day that they end the charade, and really come to know You!  What a burden it must be to imitate Christians without the Spirit living inside, empowering and giving them the desire for the things of God.

And I pray for myself as well, that I not be deceived.  I want to be Yours truly, part of the invisible church that You know by name.

Amen

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.