For They Were Not of Us (1 John 2:18-25; COD Head 5 RE)
Introduction
Canons of Dort addresses an important issue: How can we be certain that believers will persevere to the end when we witness people departing from the faith? This is not a contemporary concern, but a concern already in the first century. John takes up this discussion in his first epistle. John addresses a class of people who "went out from us.” Today, we examine three key questions: Where did they go? Why not with us? And what is the difference? Rather than undermining our confidence, we will see that this passage strengthens our assurance by grounding it properly in Christ's preserving power rather than our own efforts.
Where did they go?
John describes individuals who traveled with the apostles, likely participated in church planting, and appeared to embrace the gospel. The problem is that they denied Christ entirely. These weren't people ignorant of Christianity; they had access to eyewitnesses of the resurrection. It is likely that they even preached the gospel themselves. Their departure reveals a fundamental spiritual problem: they never truly belonged to Christ's people. John emphasizes that if they had genuinely been part of the fellowship, they would have continued with it. This isn't about temporary struggles or seasons of doubt that genuine believers experience. We all go through that. The problem is that this is a complete, conscious rejection of Christ. They are identified as the work of antichrists who stand deliberately against the gospel.
The anti-Christ is one who denies the truth. Anti-Christs deny the truth of Christ and His message. This is not a casual joke, but a conscious denial of the truth. This is not a faith crisis, but a radical denial of the gospel. So, the people who left the apostles left because they denied the truth of Christ. They did not move spatially, but they demonstrated what they really believed.
Why Not With Us?
The Canons of Dort reject the dangerous notion that God preserves us only as long as we persevere on our own strength. This reversal places an unbearable psychological burden on struggling believers, forcing them to look inward at their own performance rather than upward to God's character and promises.
True assurance doesn't come through special revelation. Instead, it rests on believing God's promises and trusting in Christ's finished work. Our faith isn't what saves us. Christ saves us. Faith is the means whereby we take hold of Christ and all his benefits. Even the apostles examined themselves and asked, "Do I truly believe?" This self-examination should drive us deeper into Christ, not into self-sufficient striving. We should move forward in the power of the Spirit, seeking to conform to Christ. We do this in the confidence that Christ is working in us. This is what we are covering in the sanctification series.
What is the Difference?
The difference between true believers and those who fall away isn't secret knowledge or hidden signs. We might want to be a little more elite than another believer. The promise of the Gospel is the Holy Spirit's anointing that transforms the gospel from mere information into living truth.
Primarily, this happens through the preaching of God's Word. If the Spirit is not at work, then we might think of this as an interesting story about Christ. When the Spirit gives us new life, then the Gospel becomes "my story, my identity, and Christ is my Savior."
This anointing produces fruit. This fruit is evidence of being born of God. We live faithfully not to earn Christ's acceptance but because conforming to Christ is how we enjoy our Savior and taste God's goodness. In our doubting times, we should be assured that Christ is continually interceding for his people. Yes, his work on earth is done, but his work as a priest continues. Christ is praying that our faith will not fail, just as he prayed for Peter (Luke 22:32).
We must always remember that our perseverance is grounded in God’s preserving power, not our own strength.
Conclusion
When facing doubt or witnessing others fall away, we must remember that our assurance is grounded in our Redeemer, not in ourselves. The quality of our faith or the perfection of our obedience cannot sustain us. Yes, we should be strengthening our faith. We partake of the means of grace. We fellowship with God’s people. We pray. We read Scripture. We learn our doctrine to live it out more consistently. Yes, but only Christ can sustain. So, whatever we are doing, we need to do to move closer to him. It is done to bask in his glory as we die to self and live unto him.
The Canons of Dort provide pastoral comfort by directing us to meditate on God's promises during seasons of struggle and doubt. As we set our minds on these promises, we discover our true identity: we are in Christ, made worthy by him, and upheld by his power. This assurance shouldn't breed arrogance about our own merit, nor should it paralyze us with fear. Instead, it should free us to persevere faithfully, knowing that Christ will keep his people until the end. In him, we have overcome death and everything that stands in our way, not because of who we are, but because of who he is and what he has accomplished for us. Let us be a people who joyfully live that out.