Walking in Truth and Watchfulness (2 John 1:13)
9:00 PM
John addressed this letter to a particular
congregation and he expressed how much he rejoiced to find God's people walking
in truth, which means they also abide in God. The same idea was expressed
in 1 John 2:24 “Therefore let that abide in
you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning
abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.”
“When we receive Jesus as our Savior, His
truth lives in us through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is described in many
ways including a “Spirit of help”, (John
14:16), and a “Spirit of
truth”. (John 16:13)
The Spirit helps us to walk in God’s truth and to obey His commands. Especially
God’s greatest commandments; to love Him and to love others as we love
ourselves.” If you’d like to learn more about Walking in His Truth click here.
John also warns the church to stand firm against
false teachers:
“Watch
yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have accomplished together, but
that you may receive a full and perfect reward [when He grants
rewards to faithful believers].” (8)
Many people today are so “open minded” and they think
that the Truth can change from age to age and from generation to generation. I
have sadly seen family and friends wander away from the truth because they are
being attracted to deceptive “modern” doctrines. I have also seen many of my
fellow Christians running to these preachers which combine the truths of the
Gospel with “Life Coaching” -diluting the Gospel- and they find this so
amusing!
Peter encourages to be sober, alert and cautious:
8 Be sober [well balanced and
self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That
enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry],
seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, be
firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established,
immovable], (1 Peter 5:8-9a)
“The more deceivers and deceits abound, the more
watchful the disciples must be. Sad it is, that splendid attainments in the
school of Christ, should ever be lost. The way to gain the full reward is, to
abide true to Christ, and constant in religion to the end. Firm cleaving to
Christian truth unites us to Christ, and thereby to the Father also; for they
are one”. M. Henry
Paul also
gave this warning: “But even if we, or an angel from
heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we [originally]
preached to you, let him be condemned to destruction! 9 As
we have said before, so I now say again, if anyone is preaching to you a gospel
different from that which you received [from us], let him be condemned to
destruction!” (Galatians1:8-9)
The truth is not always well received by some people, because it can confront
them and convict them:
“10 Am I now [a]trying to win the favor and approval
of men, or of God? Or am I seeking to please someone? If I were still trying to
be popular with men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)
This conviction should bring us to repentance and as James
exhorts us:
“So get rid of all uncleanness and [a]all that remains of wickedness, and with a
humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in
your heart], which is able to save your souls.” (1:21)
When we walk in truth this shows we are walking with
the Lord. So if we abide in the truth, we will be able to stand up for our
Lord.
As I close, I would like to invite you to pray with
me:
“Lord God, remind me today (and every day) that I have
an enemy who wants to steal my affection from you by deceiving me. Make me
watchful. Give me a diligent heart so that I might enjoy the great reward of
knowing and serving you. (iWorship Bible)
Blessings,
Mari
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