2 John 1:8-9Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we[a] have worked for, butmay 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. English Standard Version (ESV)
Today's verse comes yesterday's read through the Bible plan, it is from the small book, a short letter from John. Second and third John are the shortest books of the New Testament with fewer than 300 words in each in the original Greek language, but it had an important message for the churches then and now as well as for us individually.
Verse 7 warns that many deceivers had gone out leading people to false religions and away from the true gospel, teaching things that were in opposition to Jesus and the Apostle's messages. A couple of key words or phrases in these verses jump out at you. Watch yourselves, be alert, be aware of what you are doing and where you are headed as individuals and churches - don't get ahead of yourself and away from God. The other thing is to "abide in the (correct) teaching" of the Bible and steer clear of false teachings. If you are to steer from false teaching you must know what true teaching is.
John MacArthur writes, "The Word abide has the idea of constant adherence and warns that fundamentals are not open to change or subject to the latest trends or philosophical fads".
A couple of songs came to mind, one was "Constantly Abiding". The other goes back to David in Psalm 42 - "As the Deer". We aren't spiritual camels that can drink our fill on Sunday and then go for days or weeks without thinking about, let alone following God. We need to be constantly abiding, watching ourselves that we are holding true to God's Word.
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after you
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship you
You alone are my strength my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship you
2 John 1:7-11The Message (MSG)
Don't Walk Out on God
7 There are a lot of smooth-talking charlatans loose in the world who refuse to believe that Jesus Christ was truly human, a flesh-and-blood human being. Give them their true title: Deceiver! Antichrist!
8-9 And be very careful around them so you don't lose out on what we've worked so diligently in together; I want you to get every reward you have coming to you. Anyone who gets so progressive in his thinking that he walks out on the teaching of Christ, walks out on God. But whoever stays with the teaching, stays faithful to both the Father and the Son.
10-11 If anyone shows up who doesn't hold to this teaching, don't invite him in and give him the run of the place. That would just give him a platform to perpetuate his evil ways, making you his partner.
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