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Be On The Look-Out
daily in “love” with one an- other. We must live daily in the obedience to God’s words and Christ’s com- mands. It is important for every believer to make sure that love and obedience are daily practices. John ex- plains why living a life of love and obedience is impor- tant.
“I say this because many deceivers, who do not ac- knowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the an- tichrist” (vs. 7).
There are many people in the world who do not believe in Christ and they do all they can to convince others of the same. Walking in the love and obedience of Christ will help you when deceivers come to speak a word to make you doubt God’s love through Jesus Christ.
John tells them to “Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be re-
warded fully” (vs. 8). Ifyoudonotwanttogo back or lose the faith that you have worked so hard to obtain and maintain, then you need to always be watchful. You have to pay attention to the people who come into your life and pay attention to the words that
are spoken into your life.
If you are not careful you will engage in activities and listen to words that will put your reward in jeopardy. If you are not being watchful you will turn from your life of righteousness and holi- ness back into the life God
saved your from.
He presses his warning by
telling them not to allow people into their house or make them feel welcome who do not carry the mes- sage of Christ; if you do allow that person into your life or house, then you share in their wickedness (vv. 10, 11).
If people are not talking about the things of God or trying to live the life pleasing
to God, then you must not allow them in. Your house is your life. Just as you do not let anybody come into your physical house, you do not let them come into your life.
People who want to hin- der your spiritual progress need not to feel welcome in your life. Too often people get caught up in wickedness and evil because they have made the wrong people feel welcomed.
John informs that there is so much he wants to write, but he would rather see them face to face (vs. 12). There are so many mediums for people to hear and see the word of God today, but nothing replaces face to face encounters. Reading this word in a newspaper is good, but hearing the lesson live has greater benefit.
Do not forsake the gath- ering together of your broth- ers and sisters in Christ. Attend church, Sunday School, Bible Study, and any other ministry that helps you encounter God.
This week’s lesson is John’s second epistle (2 John) to a lady and her children. John takes oppor- tunity in his letter to ap- plaud, remind, and warn. John applauded the lady and her children for their Christian walk; he reminded the people of the command to love; and warned them about deceivers.
John writes to commend the lady and her children on walking in the truth (vs. 4). It is believed that the letter is actually written to a lady who was perhaps holding church in her home. The ex- pression of a lady also ex- pands to the church (being the bride of Christ) and the members as the children.
Their commendation comes because they are walking in the truth. Walk- ing to John is the way you live. Walking in truth is an everyday practice; it is a way of life. You are commended for walking in the truth daily.
He takes advantage of the opportunity to remind them to continue to love one an- other (vs. 5). He admits to her that this is nothing new but something worth repeat- ing. The love that the people of God should love with is to walk in obedience to Christ’s commands (vs. 6). John makes connection with “walking-in”, “love” and “obedience”.
We must walk-in or live
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