Pages

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Walking in Truth and Watchfulness (2 John 1:13)





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:

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. 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! 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