Watch yourselves!
Scripture reading for November 26: 2 John
“And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.” 2 John 6-11
John wrote this short letter to ‘the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth.’ This was probably a church meeting in the home of a lady who was its pastor or possibly a way of addressing the church and its members. John was concerned with the truth and the church continuing to abide in the truth. There were false teachers that John called ‘deceivers’ who were teaching the Jesus was just a ‘spirit’ and that He did not come in the flesh being born of a virgin. This enabled them to claim ‘salvation’ but do whatever they wanted in their bodies.
In contrast, John encouraged the believers to walk according to Jesus’ commandment to love God and love one another. (Matthew 22:37-39) This was possible by the indwelling Gift of the Holy Spirit and the grace of having our own sins forgiven. This was provided by God through His Son when He died bodily on the cross and after three days rose again. John wasn’t advocating salvation by works, but an abiding faith that would not be enticed away from trust in Jesus’ sacrifice. John did not want any believer to lose their full reward upon the return of Jesus in glory. He taught them not to receive any teachers that advocated any other way of human effort or indulgence in sinful passions. Watchfulness was required to avoid deception and to continue to abide in Jesus.
Have you personally experienced any of the teaching of deceivers who deny Jesus came in the flesh? From God’s Word through John, what instructions help you to avoid deception? Why does John warn the believers not to greet these false teachers or receive them into their homes?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for caring for Your church and sending letters of warning and encouragement. Help me to be alert and watchful for deception and those promoting it. Use me to teach and live the doctrines of truth concerning Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
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