John the apostle has been sharing with us about deceivers and antichrists who are in the world. These are people who were trying to persuade others that Jesus Christ wasn't the only way to have fellowship with God. The interesting part about these deceivers was that they preyed upon the church. Rarely ever would you find them evangelizing unbelievers, but rather they were busy about trying to convince believers in Jesus Christ that they really didn't have all the information. These were the “Gnostics” which means “those who know”, and their supposed superior knowledge of the truth was the very doctrine John the apostle was set against. John told the “elect lady and her children” to follow the doctrine or teaching of Christ. Today's verse shares with us to what length John would go to prevent these who do not teach the doctrine of Christ from sharing their ways. He said in Second John verse ten:
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into [your] house, neither bid him God speed:
John who is like a spiritual father to the elect lady and her children now gives warning and direction. First, he distinguishes to whom he is making reference: “any”. This means whomever, no matter what their argument or logic, no matter how convincing they may be, “any”. Secondly, John identifies their characteristic: “bring not this doctrine”. These are any who do not share that Jesus Christ came to live as a man, lived a perfect life, and gave His life for the sins of everyone by dying on the cross. Jesus was resurrected three days later, and now all who believe in Him can be saved and live eternally with God. If there was any other way than this Jesus would have shared it, and He would not have went to the cross in the first place. Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” There was no other way possible.
Next John gives direction for what to do with these false teachers, “receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed.” John basically said do not let them in your house. Repel them. Reject them. Do not patronize them. Do not give them any place for their deceitful doctrine to take root. Don't let them in your house. Next, John wrote: “neither bid him God speed”. Now we don't use the term “God speed” as much today, but it basically means may God give you a happy, blessed and successful path or journey. In other words, may God bless all you are doing. John says the elect lady is not to bless him or desire that he be blessed if he teaches this false doctrine. John would not have written this book in the first place if there was no need for promoting the truth and allowing “anyone” to share any doctrine they liked. God desires fellowship with everyone in truth and love, and anyone who teaches anything other than the truth should not be welcomed into our houses nor should we bid them God speed. John is adamant about the elect lady's purpose in this, and we would do well to take heed to his words ourselves.
Next time we shall look at what John says about those who let false teachers in their houses and wish them God speed, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
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