Tag: 2 John
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.
A Pastor’s heart
Scripture reading for December 19: 2 John; 3 John
“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” 3rd John 2
John open his third letter with a greeting to his personal friend, Gaius, and a short prayer for him. Prayer should shape everything we do. It is an act of love coming from a soul that is healthy and focused on God’s will and His desire to love and bless others. This short prayer reveals John’s heart for his friend and us as well!
“I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.” 2 John 4 “It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3rd John 3-4
Our reputation gets around in the church. If we are faithful and walk in the truth, everyone knows about it. Faithfulness brings great joy to God and to those in authority in the church. Those in authority have to give an account to the Lord for those they oversee. (Hebrews 13:17) When pastors talk to the Lord about those who are disobedient and unfaithful, it brings sorrow and painful intercession! Gaius had been walking in the truth and blessing visiting missionaries by providing for their needs. He was commended!
“I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us. So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.” (3rd John 9-10)
Diotrephes was one of those brothers that was causing pain to the Apostle and others in the body of Christ. A bad reputation spreads around and must be dealt with. If the person will not change and repent after confrontation, others in the church must be warned so that they are not caught up in the sins. John wanted to come personally and deal with the situation, and would soon.
This short letter shows us how our personal attitudes and actions affect others and are known in the body of Christ. Leaders must have a good reputation. When we love to be first like Diotrephes, our selfishness causes troubles and indicates that we are not from God. (3rd John 11) If we are a loving servant, like Gaius and Demetrius (3rd John 12), we show by love that Christ’s love is in us! There’s no greater joy for a pastor than to have God’s people walking in truth and love!