Sunday, June 29, 2025
II John 9
Sunday, June 29, 2025 |
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
For further study - II John 7-11
There are many today that say "doctrine divides" and it is better to "love" than to allow doctrine to divide believers. As we look at another book written by the apostle John, we see the view of the crowd who says doctrine divides is wrong.
John's perspective is that true Bible doctrine will "unite", not divide. John gives us some directives for the last days that we should pay close attention too found here in our devotional reading for today.
John tells us about deceivers - many of them will enter this world at the time of the end. These deceivers will deny that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is come in the flesh. John is pretty tough on these deceivers - he calls them an "antichrist". Now that is not the "antichrist" - but an antichrist, verse 7.
Then John reveals the method for us to deal with these antichrists - these deceivers. He says if they come and bring their false doctrine, do not allow them to enter your house.
John also says do not bid them God speed. In fact, if we do allow them into our homes and bid them God speed, we are partakers of their evil deeds. John is straightforward with this message warning of false doctrine and those who propagate it in this world. We need to not only heed his warning, but follow his example in our associations as well.
Again John has a practical word for us. Verse 8 tells us that we must do as he has instructed or we are in danger of not receiving our "full reward". Now this has nothing to do with salvation but with the rewards we receive at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
You may remember that at the "judgment seat" we will receive "crowns" that we will lay at the Lord's feet in thanksgiving for what he has done for us, Revelation 4:10.
You know, having a daily dose of prophetic truth is a blessing as it tells us how to live in these last days. Our passage today also reminds us that doctrine does not divide. It unites us all in Christ, as we await His call for us to join Him in the heavenlies.
PRAYER THOUGHT: Help me to know the true doctrine of your word so that I am in perfect harmony with you, dear Lord.
Friday, June 6, 2025
II John 6
Friday, June 06, 2025 |
And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
For further study - II John 1-6
The phrase, "many deceivers are entered the world" is not included in our reading today from II John, but it describes John's day as well as our day. In light of the situation, John in this the smallest of his writings gives us instructions for how to walk with the Lord in this day.
John lifts up the "truth" which he uses to describe the "revealed truth" the "holy" Scriptures. The Bible, as the only authority for doctrine, is our resource for a time like we live in today, a day of spiritual decline and apostasy.
In the message to all believers everywhere, John says the truth, true doctrine, is a necessity for our daily walk. Today we hear that "love" is the driving force in relationships - not doctrine. John says love is a key component in our Christian walk, but not to the exclusion of biblical doctrine. However, John brings the two - love and doctrine - into perfect harmony.
Our key verse for today, verse 6, defines love as walking in His commandments. We are not talking about the external "law" of Moses but the internal "law of Christ." I John 4:7-8 tells us what love is and how we got "true love". God is love and when we received Christ, the divine love of God was placed in our renewed heart. This love then is manifest in following "the law of Christ", which is to “love one another”, verse 5b.
Therefore, "love" and "law", i.e. the law of Christ, are partners in our walk with Him each day. To me this is very practical, especially in the world we walk through today. Because we love Him we do what He wants us to do.
I have found that to be the case with my dear wife of 60 years. The longer I am with her, the more I love her and the more I want to do those things that please her. This is a simple illustration of a profound truth that John reminds us of often in his letter.
Just one other thought. He wants us to show our love by walking in His law and at the same time, He enables us to do so. He also reminds us through John's letter that "reward day" is coming at the Judgment Seat of Christ and He does not want us to lose the reward He has for us, verse 8.
PRAYER THOUGHT: Thank you, Lord, for the provision to walk by your law through your love that you placed within us.
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