Hold Fast to the Son ... Unpacking the Message of Verse 1 John 2:23
- Anthony Speciale
- 16 hours ago
- 5 min read
Greetings,
Hold Fast to the Son
“No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” — 1 John 2:23
Unpacking the Message of Verse 1 John 2:23
1 John 2:23 says, “No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” This single sentence carries profound theological weight, addressing the essential nature of our relationship with God and the central role Jesus Christ plays in that relationship. It’s a bold and unapologetic declaration of spiritual truth, and to understand it fully, we must explore both its context and its consequences for daily living, faith, and eternity.
At its heart, this verse speaks about exclusivity and unity. It teaches that the Father and the Son are inseparably linked. You cannot have a relationship with God the Father while rejecting God the Son. This is a fundamental cornerstone of Christian belief. Jesus is not simply one path among many—He is the only path. John 14:6 reinforces this when Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” The same spirit that inspired that claim is echoed here in 1 John 2:23. Denying Jesus is not a minor theological disagreement—it is a spiritual severance from the very source of life.
Why is that? Because Jesus is not merely a messenger of God—He is God incarnate. He is the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), and the radiance of God's glory (Hebrews 1:3). To deny Jesus is to deny the very revelation of God that has been made available to humanity. It is to close the door on the greatest expression of divine love, grace, and truth.
But this verse also offers the positive counterpoint: “Whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” This is deeply reassuring. Acknowledging Jesus—believing in Him, confessing Him, following Him—brings us into relationship with the Father. That word acknowledge implies more than intellectual agreement; it suggests public affirmation, heartfelt trust, and lifelong allegiance. It’s not simply believing that Jesus existed, but recognizing Him as Savior, Lord, and God. Romans 10:9 puts it plainly: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
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This acknowledgment transforms everything. Through Jesus, we are not just made right with God—we are brought into His family. John 1:12 says, “To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” What a powerful truth: to know Jesus is to be adopted into the household of God, to be embraced not as a stranger but as a beloved son or daughter.
It’s also important to reflect on the cultural and historical backdrop of this verse. The early church was facing real tension with false teachers who denied the full divinity or the incarnation of Christ. These heresies weren’t just philosophical missteps—they threatened the very foundation of Christian identity and salvation. The apostle John, writing with both love and urgency, made it clear that Jesus isn’t optional to the faith—He is essential. The denial of Jesus, in any form, is the denial of God Himself.
This has serious implications in our modern world. Many people speak of “God” in broad, inclusive terms—but if that god is not revealed in Jesus Christ, it is not the God of the Bible. True faith is not built on vague spirituality or moral living—it is rooted in a personal relationship with Jesus. And that relationship is the only bridge to the Father.
This verse also challenges us to examine our witness. Do we boldly acknowledge Jesus, not just in church but in the public spaces of our lives? Do our words, actions, and priorities reflect a life that is centered around Him? Jesus said in Matthew 10:32, “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” That’s a promise of both affirmation and reward—but it begins with a willingness to stand for Christ in a world that often denies Him.
There is also a note of comfort and clarity in this verse. If you have ever wondered whether you are truly in right standing with God, this verse gives you a beautiful measuring stick: do you acknowledge the Son? Do you trust in Him? Then you have the Father. It’s not based on how well you perform or how perfect your understanding is—it’s based on your relationship with Jesus. If your life is built on Him, you are securely anchored in God.
As we think about our lives today, this verse invites us to live without compromise. In a culture that often pressures us to dilute the uniqueness of Christ for the sake of tolerance, we must lovingly but firmly hold to the truth. Jesus is not a way—He is the way. And in Him, we have everything: forgiveness, purpose, relationship, and eternal life.
Ultimately, 1 John 2:23 calls us to a deeper loyalty to Christ, a clearer understanding of who God is, and a boldness in our faith. It reminds us that our belief is not just a private matter—it’s a declaration of allegiance that links us to the very heart of God. The one who has the Son has the Father. And if you have the Father, you have a home, a hope, and a future that cannot be shaken.
Closing thoughts as I pray for those reading or hearing this verse today...
Hold Fast to the Son
In a world full of shifting beliefs and blurred lines, the truth remains clear and eternal—our relationship with the Father is found through His Son, Jesus Christ.
“No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” — 1 John 2:23
Jesus is not just a way—He is the way.
When we confess Him, we walk in the fullness of God's love and presence.
Let this verse encourage you to stand firm in your faith, boldly acknowledging the One who gave everything for you.
Keep shining His light and walking in truth.
In Christ 🙏🏻
Be Relentless In Pursuit Of The Will
Which God Has Set Upon Your Life,
❤️ Anthony and Anna Speciale