Scripture:
2 John 1:6-10 ESV
[6] 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. [7] 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. [8] Watch yourselves so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. [9] 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. [10] If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting,
Observation:
John called himself the one whom Jesus loves. He was part of the inner circle and walked with Jesus daily for a 3 year period of time. Jesus had been crucified and had risen from the dead. It was John’s turn to carry on the great commission. Making disciples. Despite what some might think, the teaching you entertained was very important. John was making that clear by saying that the commandments are the embodiment of love, not only for GOD but your neighbors as well. To love GOD and people following the commandments would be required. The reason this was so important is because there were people who had gone out to teach something that was not true. They were deciving people. Their teaching was incorrect, and they were not convinced that Jesus was coming back. John’s lable for them was an antichrist, and it made sense to call that that they were against Christ and his return. In verse 8, John says something that there has been a lot of controversy over in the biblical world. “Watch yourself so that you may not lose what you have worked for, but may win a full reward.” HE goes on to say we need to live what Jesus said. HIS teaching was correct and needs to be followed. Verse 9 is basically saying this. If you know and love GOD, it’s going to show in how you live. You will do what HE says. This statement is so important that John makes it clear not to entertain anyone who teaches against it.
Application:
It’s so easy to get misled over and over in the New Testament. We see the words “do not be decived,” which means it’s more than possible. The last thing I want to do is mislead or decive anymore. In fact, James chapter 3 scares the life out of me. When it makes the statement about teachers being held at a higher level of accountability. Each one of the SOAPS that I have written over the last almost year is a teaching of some sort, that’s why I pray over each one. The last thing I want to do is mislead someone. So that being said. I believe it’s important for us to get in the word ourselves and know what it says. I hope that the things that I put out there are being studied out by you. These are always open for conversation, and that’s why I send them out. Iron sharpens iron. I believe that the application of this scripture is simple. So here it goes. The law is not a means of salvation… Jesus christ IS, however, if you know Jesus christ, you will want to follow the law… not to get to heaven but because you are going to heaven. The difference is something you have heard me say many times before. Religion and relationships are 2 different things. The difference is that I have to and want to. Religion says you have to follow the law in order to get to heaven. Relationships say I want to do what’s right. To please the one who made me. It goes along with the difference in judgment and fruit inspection. Judgment says you are wrong. the fruit inspection says… your apples look like onions. My point is this if you know and love GOD, you will want to do what pleases HIM…and what pleases HIM is that the love you have for HIM shows through how you love others. Do not be deceived about this love is the fulfillment of the law, and christ did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill the sacrificial requirement of it. So that HIS grace would show us the way. You can not hate the people GOD made, and HE made them all. So my suggestion is to love them all and let GOD sort them out. It’s a true statement that you no longer have to follow the law (the 10 commandments) in order to get to heaven. But do not be decived. Following them to the best of your ability is the fruit that shows you are on your way. I want people to look at the life GOD has given me and know that I am HIS and that the same spirit that raised HIM from the dead lives inside of me.
Prayer:
Father, let the fruit of our lives speak to the fact that we not only know you but love you as well. We do not want to be decived. We want to know your word and live in a manner worthy of the calling you have placed on our lives. Let our lives reflect the fact that you are in them. How we treat those around us is the key to whether or not we are walking in the love that is spelled out in the commandments. Your son made it simple for us. HE said, “Love GOD and love others.” That’s what we want to do. Guide our hearts to do so. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.