2nd John 9 THE TEST OF TRUST The test of trust when it comes to listening to those who teach and preach, is not complicated. There is a clear line between truth and error that is not hard to discern if we are familiar with the teaching of the Bible. The Holy Spirit through "holy men of old" has given to us the scriptures by which we learn, listen and live. The canon of scripture has been tried and proven in the lives of millions of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who have personally applied the truth of God to themselves. Some of the most noble people we know of have followed and practiced the word of God to their benefit and ours.
Those who "cross the line" of the bounds of the canon of scripture have "run ahead" and "transgressed the doctrine of Christ." "The faith" and "once for all been delivered to the saints." The doctrine of Christ is the body of truth to which we are committed to know and practice. To add to that or take from it, is indication that one who does so is not a Christian. To not abide or continue in that which is biblical, but deliberately transgress is evidence of a willful person who considers their opinion and teaching equal to, or more important than that which is of God.
When we follow and live in the doctrine of Christ and the truth taught in the Bible, we will be living and acting in ways that assure us of the presence and power of both the Father and the Son with us. To have the Father is to have the Son. The Holy Spirit within us and the Father and Son with us, gives us full trust even during the tests through which we have to pass.
False doctrine forsakes the first principles of the word of God and advances personal opinions as doctrines. Those who teach false doctrine indicate they know more than simple faith reveals to us. "True faith" comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Those who think this way claim to have new light heretofore hidden. Things previously unknown, they claim, have been taught to them by a new revelation. They think they have "gone further" and gone beyond what those who read the Bible and practice biblical truth know. That claim is transgression in its fundamental form.
True children of God are not to influenced by this false teaching and should apply the test of truth to what people teach. Then, the test of truth should given to those who teach it. Our trust is in the Father and the Son, not in the words of man's opinion.
Give me the discernment of divine truth I pray. Charge me to listen to God, not what men might say. Help me to live out the doctrine of Christ each day - That I might not sin against Thee.
Give Thy servant the wisdom to daily practice biblical truth. Impress on my heart its necessity and its timeless worth. May Thy servant be committed to sound Thy word forth - That others might not sin against Thee.
Give me a clear view of Thee that I pass the test of trust. Also, that others through me will realize that they must Refuse to transgress or disobey the doctrine of Christ - That all of us might not sin against Thee.
"Father of truth and love: may the doctrine of Christ never be something I take for granted or in any way ignore. The importance of these two things are always on my mind lest I fail and fall. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."
2nd John 10-11 TOLERANCE - INDIFFERENCE The key issue of this epistle is how we are to deal with the false teachers? How are we to know whether one who comes among us is deliberately here to undermine the work of the Lord, sent by the god of this world? When one comes who denies the foundational truths of "the faith which was once delivered unto the saints," is a false teacher. Any person who teaches wrongly about the Person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ is a false teacher.
False teaching is not merely an evil deed, it is a wicked work that goes way beyond an evil act. It has in view an on-going desire to claim the work of God for their own nefarious reasons. Often their approach is to "lead captive silly women" who fall for any new thing that promotes a feminist agenda instead of promoting the supreme authority of our Sovereign Lord. To invite such a person into one's home is basically approving of what they say and what they are doing.
In the opinion of some people today, we should be tolerant of anything so that no one will be offended. To not accept a person into one's home, to those who say they believe in tolerance toward everyone, this seems harsh and unchristian. Their thought is that we "should do good to all men," means that we should do what anyone wants. Discernment on our part is important because we are not "doing good" to a person if we support their wrong-doing. Rather, we are doing the opposite. By accommodating to that which is wrong, we are helping evil to be propagated.
Not only are we not to have fellowship "with the unfruitful works of darkness," we are also not to support those who do those things in any way. To give financial, physical or moral support to an evil work makes us a participant in that work. We are enabling it to continue. The widow to whom John wrote this letter was likely noted for her hospitality among the Lord's people. She may have been inclined to receive anyone who came to her door.
None of us are to encourage a heretic or to promote and assist in any way their falsehood. There are those who solicit support on radio, television, letters in the mail or in personal visits. It is up to us to know those to whom we give our support and to know how it is going to be used. The objective of a true servant of God will not be obscure or without a stated goal. To even say, "God bless you" to such a person indicates we are behind what they are doing. We do not want God to bless evil and those who promote or do an evil work. Our concern for them is that they will face up to the fact that what they are doing is contradictory to the word of God, and repent and believe the Gospel.
Anyone who contradicts or in any way goes against the truth of God stated by precept or principle in the Bible, is not a Christian. As those who represent, and hopefully reflect Christ, we must never be disloyal to Him who is our Lord. We must not make it possible by our tolerance or indifference for error to harm the Lord's people. It is wrong, and we have sinned, if we help in any way a deceiver to be established in his false teaching. We can never have fellowship with wrong teaching by condoning it in any way.
Lack of conviction and lack of knowledge of the word of God leads to indifference and tolerance toward that which is evil. By our nature we want others to think well of us, so when we have to stand firm in the faith, we will find there are a lot of people who will accuse us of being hard, judgmental, intolerant and unchristian by their own definition. It may be simply that we are afraid of the consequences or that we will be charged with something that doesn't please the majority of people, so we keep silent, acquiescent or turn away in fear.
We must not tolerate wrong teaching, but with words of "grace seasoned with salt," we must declare what is right. When false teaching contradicts what is right it must be out-and-out rejected. To love truth means to hate error. To support those who teach, preach and practice the truth of God by opening our homes in hospitality is right. To ask God's blessing upon the labors of those who are known and proven to be faithful servants of our Lord Jesus Christ is right and important. When something appears to be questionable, it probably is. Before going any further in our support and encouragement of a person or work, we should make "diligent inquisition" of both the person and the purpose. In this day of tolerant acceptance of almost anything with the word "Christian" attached to it, we must take the time necessary to compare what a person says and is, with what the Bible says and we know to be true by experience.
Sailing across the dark seas of a cold and wintery world, Is the stately ship of truth with flags of grace, faith and truth unfurled. The waves of opposition may make the ship occasionally toss and turn, But a steady hand at the helm safely guides by things he has personally learned.
There are many rocks and shoals around which he must negotiate. Another untested obstacle comes when another vessel he does meet. "Ahoy," and "God bless" are word flowing freely from unknown lips, But of major consideration is the opposite direction of both ships.
At first the words from the strange voice sounds good, the terminology is the same - Until you speak of the Chief Captain, and in love and truth exalt His name. The other voice comes back with words and phrases so very obscure, That what he is pontificating and the message he gives leaves us unsure.
A few insightful questions begin to clarify the facts, That what he has to say and talk about isn't how he acts. He is looking for a place to fill and people to follow him. That's when we realize to have fellowship with him is sin.
It is not enough for us to know what's right - we must avoid the wrong.
When pressure is applied to be tolerant of all, be firm in Christ, stand strong. Have naught to do with the man or the teaching that does not exalt our Lord When others are indifferent, you remain solidly committed to obeying God's word.
"Father, it is with a certain sense of loss that I learn of those who once seemed committed to Thy Word, Thy house, and Thy people, but now have walked away from that which they professed to believe. It would be wonderful if in some way you would bring to pass something that would cause them to stop, repent and return. Even as I pray now, I am aware that I am weak and feeble, and maybe not strong enough to resist what tempted them. Grant to Thy servant that I would be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."
2nd John 12-13 COMMUNICATION Much of meaningful human experience is involved with our ability to communicate with other people. Facial expressions, tone of voice, inflections and gestures, particularly hand motions all communicate to others our thoughts and intentions to a limited extent. Written words communicate precise thoughts and are probably the most trustworthy way of giving information. That is why the written word of God is so important to our spiritual life and growth. Written words can be read over and over again until we know exactly what is meant. The combination of written words and visible expressions give a deeper sense of the meaning when the words are read well.
Some people try to communicate with animals and spend a lifetime seeking ways to cross the boundaries of one specie to another. That may be helpful to a certain extent when training horses to work, cows to come to the right barn, dogs and cats to be suitable pets when we realize God said, "The fear of you and dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth." But dominion over others is not meaningful communication. That is one-way communication produced by training and reaction to fear.
To pass on truth and love requires ways to communicate emotions both joyful and serious. When there are people in whom we have special interest such as parents and children or special friends, we will seek to keep connected with them in every way possible. A phone call when we think of them may be unexpected, but will be great appreciated simply because the person you call knows you care about them. An email or text from time to time with some written thoughts regarding a passage of scripture, or a subject of your meditation may be just what is needed to challenge someone to press on in faith. A letter with news and encouragement can be read over and over perhaps meeting a need of which you not be, or ever will be, aware.
However, when one meets another brother or sister face to face, that is a very special time and we are able to "impart" some blessing that is expressed in words, expression and time taken to connect. It is not usually a waste of time to pay a personal visit to a person we know. There is a joy that accompanies a person to person contact that is more than just fellowship. It is communion. John wanted to have that special contact with the elect lady and her children. A visit is not dispassionate like work written with ink on a piece of paper. Such a contact uses all the senses to our expressions of interest. A cup of tea or coffee, a meal together, a prayer, a hymn or spiritual song, and a discussion over a passage of scripture enlightens the whole person - body, soul and spirit.
A handshake or touch on the shoulder uses the sense of touch to indicate, "I am glad to see you. You are important to me." The sense of smell associated with a meal or beverage is a way one says, "I am glad you came." Implied in sharing physical food is the expression of unity and fellowship. A smile on one's face or the concern shown visibly expresses empathy with the situation in which another is found. To hear a person speak testifies to the fact of personal worth because you have taken time to talk and listen.
Brief words in a letter are important. So is time taken to write the letter thoughtfully. When one's personal, physical presence is seen, the whole process of communication goes to a higher level. In times of loss, another person's presence is of great significance. In times of joy and/or victory, to share that joy makes it even more valuable to one experiencing it. When suffering is great and burdens are heavy, the mere face of another person being there is enough - maybe even better than too many words.
When God's people are confronted with false teaching, it is a serious situation. We dare not consider it lightly or overlook it because it can have a negative effect on many people. Never treat false teaching as if it is a light matter. It is up to us to refuse any and all heresies or give it a place of any kind. "If you give it an inch, it will take a mile." There are serious dangers and consequences to falsehood and false teaching. How thankful we should be that there are those who care enough for our souls and that of our children, that they do not hesitate to warn us. The nieces and/or nephews, children of the elect lady's sister, had an interest and concern for the aunt and her family. It is important for us all to take every opportunity to let loved ones know how important they are to us.
Two families sharing a common heritage are a good lesson to us. The characteristics have some similarities that elicit from us our trust. The same holds true in the family of God even though we are in different places. Our heavenly Father wants His image to be seen, even in all of our faces.
To care enough to communicate in ways to those for whom we care. Lets them know our love and truth are real which we with them want to share. In as many ways as are available to us, let us use them to the blessing of others. After all, in the family of God we are in, all the saints are sisters and brothers.
Count it a privilege to communicate, use meaningful words, not just a quick; "How are you?" Something about yourselves, about your Lord, and how you think of them is very important too. Sincere concern, words of praise, thoughts of encouragement are always in style. When you get a chance, go visit them; when you're there walk with them "the extra mile."
What you do for others, you do for the Lord - He takes it as done unto Him. By showing real interest at personal cost, you are able their confidence to win. Then when the time comes and correction is needed, they will heed it because it is you Who has shown in the past it is not stones that you cast, your interest in them is true.
"Heavenly Father, at the end of this study in 2nd John, I want to thank Thee for giving me some insight as to how I can encourage and warn God's people at the same time. I am asking that I will be able to actually practice and promote what I have learned, by the power of the Holy Spirit and by making the necessary changes that I can. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."