2 John 1:7-9 - Watch
out for the false leaders—and there are many of them around—who don’t
believe that Jesus Christ came to earth as a human being with a body like ours.
Such people are against the truth and against Christ. Beware
of being like them and losing the prize that you and I have been working so
hard to get. See to it that you win your full reward from the Lord. For
if you wander beyond the teaching of Christ, you will leave God behind; while
if you are loyal to Christ’s teachings, you will have God too. Then you will
have both the Father and the Son.
John’s second letter is short and sweet….with one more
reminder of the importance of loving each other and one to watch out for the
many false teachers that would try and twist the truth of what Christ taught
when he was here.
It’s not hard for many of these people to quickly become
leaders. They are very careful to
include just enough Bible to make their arguments seem valid. Most claim to
love God….the problem comes when their version of the Bible is twisted beyond the
truth.
John is clear….first we have to know our Bible well enough
to know if what they are saying is supported by the Bible. Second…if it differs at all….don’t listen to
them…and definitely don’t support them with our resources. If we do…we run the
risk of letting their false teachings dilute our faith into less than God
intended. And once our foundations have been compromised….it isn’t hard for
satan to weaken others areas of our faith as well.
Here’s one last point …found in both Titus 3:9 and 2 Timothy
2:14 and 23. It is important that we don’t
get caught up in meaningless debates with others about who these people are.
The arguing itself not only damages the listener….but weakens our credibility
to the lost. Perhaps that is why John reminded us of the importance of loving
each other before his warning about false teachers. Have your list…and a quick Bible
supported reason for your opinion…and let the other person do the thinking and
research after that. Agree to disagree and walk away. Hold on to the promise that God is in control
of every false thing that is said…and has plans to use it for his good in the
end.
Father…thank you for the reminder to watch out for those that
want to twist the truth you have tied to hide in my heart. Forgive me when I
take their word and don’t search out whether what they say is truth according
to your word. Help me to make my decision about what is taught with careful
prayer and study to prove or disprove to my own heart it validity. Help me to
only teach what I have proved to my own heart is true. Amen.
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