"Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also." 1 John 2:18-23
There are people who say that they believe in God, but they live as though they are atheists. They are so hyper-religious, that they have forgotten the Reason for their apparent righteousness. Often indoctrinated, these creatures will claim that they are Christians, and they will have all the right moves to convince those watching. Such attention is put into living "godly," however, that they forget why they were in the first place. Soon their righteousness is just another step in their climb up the staircase of self esteem. It becomes, in essence, a way to worship themselves.
Finding them is sometimes easy, but it is often difficult. Under that mask of "good," friendly, outgoing "Christianity" is a complete apathy towards Jesus Christ. Their part in the play becomes so important to them, they often forget it's just an act. Sometimes they even convince themselves that they are genuine. But you can often find them. It helps to ask yourself, "What would a Pharisee do in this situation?" Or WWAPD?
Sometimes Pharisees, for example, cry out loud phrases, announcing a communion with Christ as a means of social prestige. They are not praying to God, they are not deeply in love with their Savior. They are using Him to elevate themselves.
In the same manner, sometimes people on social media advertise their own righteousness, godliness, and their apparent devotion to God. Having been indoctrinated to believe that they are only worthy of a good spouse if they are godly, they have placed their value in their own moral standing. In trying to make themselves appear more righteous than they are, however, they are destroying any existence of righteousness within themselves. Since it is all for their own gain, social approval, pat on the back, acceptance, etc, they are merely testifying an unrelenting devotion to themselves.
In the same manner, sometimes people on social media advertise their own righteousness, godliness, and their apparent devotion to God. Having been indoctrinated to believe that they are only worthy of a good spouse if they are godly, they have placed their value in their own moral standing. In trying to make themselves appear more righteous than they are, however, they are destroying any existence of righteousness within themselves. Since it is all for their own gain, social approval, pat on the back, acceptance, etc, they are merely testifying an unrelenting devotion to themselves.
This knowledge of God's existence, but denial of who He is, this is denying the Son. The act of using God as a staircase, a gift-giver, an ATM machine, or even Santa Clause, this is denying the Son. The distressing way that Jesus's great sacrifice is daily forgotten, or used as a personal ego boost, this is denying the Son. Using His cross as a decoration, but living without the grace that that symbol embodies, this is denying the Son. And it's all made worse because they call themselves "Christians."
This means they say that they follow Christ. Meanwhile their lives are a constant, repeated, ongoing denial of Who the Christ is. What He is. What He did. "They went out from us, but they were not of us." The daily motivation, if found in the self, or in others, this is not following Christ. If your entire life is about you, your future, your future spouse, your friend(s), your hobbies, your family - anything else but God, then you are not truly a Christian. You might be "saved." But you aren't following Christ. You are taking His grace, but refusing to give it in return. Using His death, but not giving your life. You are denying the Son. You are living as an antichrist.
And in calling yourself a Christian, while denying Christ, you take His name in vain.
You have become a Christian Antichrist.
