Tag: watchful
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.
Prayer and gracious speech!
Scripture reading for September 11: Colossians 4
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the Word, to declare they mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison–that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:2-6
The life of a follower of Jesus is tied to steadfast prayer and thanksgiving. Paul’s final words to these believers concerned prayer and witness to others. Both these topics were inter-related. Prayer was a lifeline where we communicate with our Savior the things we are observing and going through for direction and counsel. We listen for what to do next and how to give answers to those outside the faith.
Paul asked the church to pray for him as well. He was in prison at the writing of this letter, but he did not ask them to pray for his release. Instead, he asked for a door of witness to be opened that he might preach the Word of God, the Gospel to those outside the faith. He asked for a clear declaration of the Gospel to flow through his lips and that he would have wisdom towards outsiders. He encouraged the church to also walk in wisdom towards outsiders and to make the best use of their time. Through prayer, they would be directed when and to whom to share the Gospel. Only God knows each heart and His timing. He also encouraged them to be gracious, offering words that brought out the flavor of Christ Jesus like salt does to food. When speaking graciously, the goodness of God draws people to repentance and answers their deepest questions and needs.
Does prayer have a regular place in your life and daily routine? Do you pray regularly for your pastor, missionaries on the field, or those in need? Have you experienced the flavoring or salting of your speech as you have sought the Lord for how to reach those outside the faith?
Prayer: Father God, I thank you for the privilege of prayer any time of the day, but especially to start my day. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and wisdom today that I might know how to reach those outside the faith. Open a door of witness and give me boldness to share the Gospel of grace, with salted speech. Amen.
Love and grace are essentials
Scripture reading for September 15th: Isaiah 56-59, Psalm 70, 1st Corinthians 16
1st Corinthians 16: 11-12, 21 “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act as men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. . . . I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If anyone has no love for the Lord; let him be accursed. Our Lord, Come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”
Paul closed this letter of encouragement and teaching to this church family with simple words of truth. Watchfulness was needed because of the false teachers who sough to draw them away from the Gospel truth. They must stand firm in their faith yet show love to all–even to those who might be opposed to them and the truth of the Gospel. But loving our Lord was not an option, but an essential. Paul reminded them that anyone who did not love Jesus and claimed to be a believer was under a curse. God’s grace is a gift to be received and held on to. Paul assured them of this and of his own love for them as he wrote this letter of correction and instruction as their father in the faith.
Isaiah 59:19-21 “”So they shall fear the Name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; for He will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the Lord drives. And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord. “And as for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the Lord; “My Spirit that is upon you, and My Words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.””
Prayer: Father in heaven, thank You for Your love shown to us in Jesus Christ, Who laid down His life for us. Thank You for the Gift of the Holy Spirit to abide in us always and release Your love in us and through us to a lost world. I love you and pray for grace in my children and grand-children and all offspring to know You and be filled with the promised Holy Spirit. Let it not depart from them forever! Amen!
Psalm 70::4-5 “May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You! May those who love Your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! Your are my Help and my Deliverer; O Lord, do not delay.”
Enjoying a “full reward”
Scripture reading for November 26th: 2 John, Psalm 98-100, Proverbs 20
Key Scriptures: 2 John 8-11 “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.”
John stressed to all of Christ’s followers the importance of abiding in Christ and His teaching. Departing from the teaching of Jesus means we depart from God the Father as well as Jesus the Son. Anyone teaching a different gospel is not to be entertained or even greeted. Those wanting to enjoy a full reward must be watchful and abide in Christ’s Word.
Faith Confession: I freely chose to abide in Jesus Christ and His holy Word. Through the Holy Spirit I am watchful for those who would teach another Gospel or advocate a different teaching. I desire a full reward for me and those I am with!
Proverbs 20:27-28 “The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts. Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.”
Do all in love!
Scripture reading for July 26th: 1st Corinthians 16, Psalm 149, Proverbs 25
Key Scriptures: 1st Corinthians 16:13-14, 22-24 “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. . . .If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”
Paul loved concise final words and encouragement. These short sentences summarize points he had brought up in the longer body of the letter. He encouraged watchfulness against divisions and judging others. They were to remain strong in faith so he again brought up love and its supreme importance in all things. Faith works by love. Our love for Jesus is foundational as well as our love for each other. Paul sent his love as well!
Faith Confession: Lord, thank You for these short and plain reminders of what is important. Thank You for Your love and the love of other believers that encourages my faith. Help me to be a faithful and loving messenger.
Proverbs 25:13 “Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.”
Be dressed and ready!
Scripture reading for March 19th: Luke 12
Key scriptures for over-comers: Luke 12:35-37,40 “Be dressed and ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. . .” “You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.”
Jesus knew all men and understood their tendency to become lazy and let down their guard. In many of His last teachings, Jesus emphasized the need for watchfulness and readiness when He returned for His followers. Unbelief in Christ’s return would produce this lax and lazy behavior in those who once were zealous. This would cause great loss because those found not ready would be left out completely!
No one knows the day or the hour of Christ’s return. (Matthew 24:36) He is coming back for those who are eagerly awaiting His appearing and doing the work He commanded them to do. There will be great reward for the faithful!
Observations for over-comers: Guard your soul against falling away and unbelief in Christ’s return by keeping an active faith and obeying Christ daily. The reward is out of this world! “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In My faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them.” (Isaiah 61:8)