Salutations from Family 2 John 13 - Equipped for Battle

We have come to the end of John the apostle's words in Second John. After all the care and concern that he has given to the elect lady and her children about false teachings and doctrine, what are the words he would use in his final closing? Today we see a touch of tenderness and greeting in his final words as he shares in Second John verse thirteen:

The children of your elect sister greet thee. Amen.

There are no words that have such importance as those from someone for whom we care deeply. When we have not heard from a family member or close friend for a while, when we finally hear from them their words are cherished. John employs a greeting from “the children of your elect sister” as his final words to the elect lady and her children. Perhaps these are fellow Christians with whom John was living at this point or they may have been actual relations to the elect lady, but whomever they were the greeting from them was seen as important. It might have been from these that John heard about the itinerant false teachers who were visiting the elect lady, and it was only proper that John mention them at the end of his book. Nonetheless, this greeting was found necessary to be entered into scriptures.

We sometimes forget that the writers of the scriptures had to live their lives day to day as we do. They woke up in the morning, and went to sleep at night. They ate, talked, walked and worked among people for the most part just as we do. They also related to others in most cases, and spent much of their time simply living. John lived his personal life as we do today. He in this case was among those who wished to greet John's audience as he wrote to her and her children. Perhaps the elect lady and her children were real people, and perhaps it is a reference to the church. But whichever the case may be, we all would do well to remember that sometimes there is nothing better than to let others know that you are thinking about them. It doesn't have to be much, as this greeting was very short, but the meaning behind the care and concern just to reach out a little will make great strides in keeping relationships as fervent as they can be.

Finally, John ends his book with “Amen,” which means, “so be it”. There is a finality to John's words as he closes his writings but not his thoughts as he continues to be concerned over the spreading of false doctrine. Maybe it can be characterized in this manner, “Jesus said it. I believe it, and that settles it.” May all who read review the words of Jesus and compare every thought, belief or idea of relating to God to the scriptures and see if those things be so. Amen.

Next time we shall venture into the third letter of John named appropriately “Third John”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Face to Face Joy 2 John 12 - Equipped for Battle

In an impersonal world, people rely upon devices and gadgets for communicating, but there continues to be no real substitute for a face to face meeting. Especially in John the apostle's day when he had no access to typewriters, emails, cell phones or web cams, He simply wrote with parchment paper and an ink well, possible a quill, and maybe a little candlelight. But nonetheless, John had a purpose in writing. His words of truth in love to “the elect lady and her children” have been our teacher for the last few days, and today John adds a personal note about his desire to see and speak to his audience. Let's look at his words in Second John verse twelve:

Having many things to write unto you, I would not [write] with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

It appears by John's words that there was much more to be said about these false teachers who were trying to persuade the elect lady from her faith in Jesus. John was adamant about not associating with those to whom he previously noted as having “evil deeds”. Sometimes a message is so important that it must be delivered in person, and John's emphasis upon the eternal ramifications of these deceivers and false teachers drove his desire to speak face to face with her about the matter.

Notice too that the result of the meeting face to face would be “that our joy may be full.” Seeing someone face to face that we love and adore has no substitute. To watch the loved one's expressions, to feel their embrace, to respond quickly to misunderstandings, and convey passion is never done better than when we are physically with someone. John desires to care for the elect lady in a personal way to be sure she understood all that he was saying to her. The result of their meeting together would be a shared joy that would be completely full.

Isn't it interesting how the one facet to writing is that it is very difficult to relay fully the intent of the writings? Passion may be misconstrued, words may be misread, and the full emotion is often lost. John knew that any misunderstandings or ill conceived intents could be completely resolved when he met with the elect lady, and perhaps his trust in coming to meet with her face to face will inspire us to meet with those to whom we love that our joy may be full with them as well.

Next time we finish the book of Second John by looking at a greeting given by John, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Partaker of Evil Deeds 2 John 11 - Equipped for Battle

Over the last few days, we have been learning about the truth from John the apostle in his book named Second John. Over and over John has emphasized how important it is for “the elect lady” and us not to allow those who teach false doctrine to influence our way of living or beliefs. John knew of those who were promoting additions to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and he knew of these “itinerant prophets” who would travel from town to town spreading their pernicious thoughts. John wrote in verse ten of Second John that these false teachers should not be allowed in the elect lady's house nor should she bid them God speed. Today John shares an even stronger warning to the elect lady to which we would do well to take heed. He wrote in the eleventh verse of Second John:

For he that bids him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Woe! Now that is strong language. John says if anyone bids or wishes or speaks out a blessing over these who promote false teachings, then they too are partakers of these false teacher's evil deeds. In other words, to promote these who proclaim anything other than the gospel is just as bad as being the one who promotes it. In John's day there were many who would align themselves with the teachings of anyone who promoted any teaching that sounded good. As long as someone could verbalize their thoughts and give reason as to why someone should follow them, many just went along. It's not a lot different today. The common phrase is “to each his own”, and with a cavalier attitude many times it appears that any teaching or doctrine is as good as another “as long as it is not hurting anyone.” This is not in alignment with the teaching from John the apostle.

The greatest difficulty with false teaching is where it eventually leads. Jesus spoke of those who would not understand why He would say depart from me in the judgment. The apostle Matthew records Jesus' words in the gospel of Matthew in chapter seven and verses twenty-one thru twenty-three:

Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.

The importance of knowing the true doctrine verses false will be the determining factor for our eternal destiny. We will either know the truth about Jesus Christ, or we will not. There is no dividing line, and the importance of our eternal life or death will be contingent upon the doctrine we follow. John the apostle calls any other way “evil deeds”. They are evil because they lead people away from the truth, and their lives both now and eternally will be affected by their doctrine. John says if we bid them “God speed” we participate in the process of sending people to Jesus who will one day proclaim over them “I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.” John knew that the works that are being done by these false teachers and their followers did not matter. The greatness of their works whether it was prophesying, casting out devils or doing many wonderful works bore no weight at all compared to doing the will of Jesus' Father which is in heaven.

We would do well today to make our calling and election sure. We must seek the scriptures daily as the Bereans did in the book of Acts to see whether the teaching we are receiving are true. Our eternal lives depend upon it, and those who promote teachings other than those of Jesus we are not to entertain in our houses nor bid them God speed or success lest we align ourselves with them.

Next time we shall look at what John says about cutting his letter short even though he has more to say, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Not in Our House or God Speed 2 John 10 - Equipped for Battle

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...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Abiding in the Doctrine of Christ 2 John 9 - Equipped for Battle

Many people ask, “What does it mean to live by a “doctrine”? The basic idea of doctrine is “the teachings of” or “one who teaches”. So, if we live by the doctrine of Jesus Christ, it means that we live by the teachings of Jesus. If we live by the doctrine of devils, we live by the teachings of the devil. John the apostle has been concerned with the teachings that have permeated “the elect lady and her children”. Whenever the truth is presented, there will usually be falsehood presented as well. John has written the book of Second John to dispel these doctrines, and he addresses them even more clearly in today's verse found in Second John and verse nine. He wrote:

Whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, has not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son.

John pulls no punches when he shares in this verse. He opens the forum to anyone, “Whosoever transgresses and abides not in the doctrine of Christ”. A transgression is a willful, deliberate, and purposeful act to go against what is known to be right. If someone, anyone, seeks to add to or takes away from the doctrine of Christ in a willful way, John says they do not have God. In other words, those who seek to alter the truth of the gospel which is that Jesus Christ came into the world to live as a man with the purpose of saving sinners by dying on the cross for their sins, they do not even have a relationship with God. God desires relationship and fellowship with every person, however those who promote any path other than the “doctrine of Christ” do not have a relationship or fellowship with God.

John goes on to give the opposite of the one who transgresses and doesn't abide in the doctrine of Christ. He says, “He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son.” The difference is the teachings by which we live. If we live by the “doctrine of Christ”, we believe it, trust it, and know that there is no other way to have relationship and fellowship with God. When other ways to God are presented, we refute and reject them because there is no other way than the “doctrine of Christ” to have a relationship with the Father and the Son.

Today people promote all kinds of ways to get to God. Some say “one religion is as good as another”, and that “all roads lead to God.” In a sense, they are correct about all roads leading to God. The Bible does say that every person will give an account for their lives before God. However, this in no way means that a person has a relationship with God the Father or His Son Jesus. Look at Jesus' words as given in the gospel of Matthew in chapter seven and verses twenty-one thru twenty-three:

Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.

These of whom Jesus speaks are those who transgress and do not abide in the doctrine of Christ. May we all take heed to Jesus' words and the words of John the apostle and never vary from the truth they present in love. These words are ample warning to everyone that the “doctrine of Christ” is the most important teaching anyone will ever live by both in this world and the world to come.

Next time we shall look at what we are not to do with anyone who brings any other doctrine than the doctrine of Christ, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Look to Yourselves that You Do Not Lose It 2 John 8 - Equipped for Battle

John the apostle has been sharing a lot with us about the truth and love. His concern is for “the elect lady” and we have been the recipients and benefactors of the words he has been sharing. Deceivers and antichrists were in the world at John's time who would lead this “elect lady” and her children away from the truth about Jesus Christ. Many like these deceivers are still around today, and John's concern is noteworthy for ourselves as we walk through this life. Today John gives us warning and challenge with a motivation to keep that which we have. He wrote in Second John verse eight:

Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

The warning John gives is that the “elect lady” and her children should “look to yourselves”. In other words, pay full attention, be circumspect, and be careful. Why? So that she and her children would not lose what John has “wrought” or “worked for”. There is the possibility with so many deceivers walking around and touting every opposing value to the gospel of Jesus Christ that some may be persuaded. They give reasons, arguments and convincing logic as to why their beliefs are true. The trouble with deception is that a person can be ninety nine percent correct and only one percent incorrect, and it is still not the truth. Ninety nine percent truth is like drinking a glass of cool refined water with only one percent of strychnine added to make it complete. Death is still in the glass, and those who are deceived thereby are not wise.

John desires that we walk in truth and love and not be deceived by any other offerings. He emphasizes the “full reward” that is desired for each one who receives Jesus as their Savior and Lord. In other words, that we receive a reward to full capacity. There are differing degrees of capacity that are offered to those who follow Jesus Christ. Jesus made reference to these capacities as recorded in the gospel of Matthew in chapter twenty five and verse fifteen:

And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

Whatever the capacity is, John doesn't want us to lose it. We should desire to fulfill the full capacities that God has given us in truth and love. John's concern for the “elect lady”, her children, and us is that we not lose what we have been given on account of some deceiver or antichrist persuading us. We must stick to the truth, study the truth, and continue in the love of God and His Son Jesus Christ lest we lose our full reward. God desires fellowship and communion with us, and He has made provision for us by Jesus dying upon the cross for our sins. May we all continue in truth and love as John encourages us to do.

Next time we shall look at the benefits to the doctrine of Jesus Christ, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Deceivers and Antichrists 2 John 7 - Equipped for Battle

Yesterday we left our study in Second John verse seven where John the apostle was sharing the reason he wrote the “elect lady” with an emphasis on the truth in love. He wrote:

For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Our discussion last time left us knowing that Jesus did come in the flesh and He “is coming back again”. Deceivers were in the world who were proclaiming that Jesus was nothing more than a spirit or phantom, and that He never really came in a fleshly body. We only have to read through the first parts of the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John to know that Jesus did indeed come in a fleshly body, and that He did so to identify with each of us.

John next identifies and labels those who deny that Jesus came in this manner. He called them a “deceiver” and an “antichrist.” Either people are for Jesus Christ or they are opposed to Him. If they proclaim Jesus to be anything other than who He was, the Son of the Living God, they are deceived, and the truth is not in them. If they have other ideas that explain away Jesus' personal description of Himself, “the way, the truth and the life, and no man comes to the Father but by me”, then they are “anti” Christ.

Today there are many who are proclaiming “all roads lead to God” and “everyone must find his or her own way to God” or “not”, or “whatever”, but this is not in keeping with the Bible. The Bible is very clear, “there is none other name whereby we must be saved”, and the name is “Jesus”. (Acts 4:12) The marvel is not so much that there are deceivers and antichrists in the world as the fact that God loves everyone enough that He provides the way of truth so that we may know Him. The Bible is filled with story after story and precept after precept that declares that God loves us and desires to have a relationship with us. This is the truth that John is emphasizing to “the elect lady” and as we read the words that he penned to her, we can almost hear the emphasis that he is declaring to us as well.

Deceivers are entered into the world. They were present in John's day, and they are present today. To know the truth we must stay in God's word, the Bible, read about Him, learn about Him, and continue in the truth lest we also be led astray.

Next time we shall look at a warning that John gives us about not losing what we have, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Deceivers in the World 2 John 7 - Equipped for Battle

John the apostle has been sharing throughout his tiny book of Second John about how important it is for the “elect lady” to know the truth in love. We have been learning from John that keeping God's commandments reveals whether we love Him or not. We are to love one another, and by keeping the commands to love God with all our hearts, souls, minds and spirits and to love our neighbors as ourselves we fulfill all the other commands. There is a reason for John emphasizing these points. There were deceivers in the world. Because there are those who would deceive today, we should pay particularly close attention to John's words written in Second John verse seven. He wrote:

For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Since part of the enigma of deception is that the person being deceived does not know that he or she is being deceived, how are we to know whether we are being deceived or not? John clarifies it in this verse. First, he declares his purpose for writing about the truth and loving one another, “For many deceivers are entered into the world”. Whenever there is something that is of real value, there is usually a counterfeit. Diamonds, jewels, precious metals, and money are examples of these in the natural world, but there are also counterfeits in the spiritual things. John states that the deceivers are in the world. Their purposes are to draw people away from the real. Our first defense against them is to recognize and admit that there are those in the world who would draw us away from the truth of God.

Next John reveals who these deceivers are: “who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.” Upon first look at John's words we think of those called “Gnostics” who believed that everything material was evil and their summation was that Jesus was a phantom of sorts and that He didn't leave footprints on the sand when He walked on the beach. These false teachers and deceivers were the ones who claimed to be “in the know”, and many people followed their ways. But let's look even closer to John's words. The words “Jesus is come in the flesh” is more closely “is coming in the flesh”. Just before Jesus left this Earth, he promised to come back again. In the gospel of John in chapter fourteen and verses one through four Jesus said:

Let not your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.

The angels who were revealed to those who watched Jesus ascend into Heaven declared in the book of Acts in chapter one and verse eleven:

You men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven.

Jesus is coming back again. Many do not believe this, and thereby reveal who they are – deceivers. Perhaps we should take up more of this subject in our next study since it deserves our greatest attention.

Next time we shall continue to look at the deceivers in John's day and discover how they are just as prevalent today, so meditate upon today's verse, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Walking in Love 2 John 6

What is love? How do we know when we are in love? Is it simply a feeling or wave of emotions? Is it manifested only when things are going our way or is it constant? Just how do we know that we are in love? John the apostle helps us with the idea of love in our verse for today. He wrote it this way in Second John in verse six:

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.

Sometimes it seems that some ideas are more abstract in the Bible than others, however, this one is very clear. John says “this is love, that we walk after his commandments.” How do we know that we love God? “we walk after his commandments.” In other words, we walk in love, because when we walk after his commandments, we manifest our love for God. Jesus said it this way as recorded in the gospel of John in chapter fourteen and verse fifteen:

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Whenever we love God, we subject ourselves to what He desires for our lives. To be in opposition to His commands is to reject Him. John employs the word “walk” when describing our love. In other words our love is constant, moving, regular and daily. We move from one action to the next in obedience to God's commandments and God's superior command is to love.

So let's examine ourselves. Do we daily walk with the consciousness of keeping God's commands? Are there people who challenge our love? Are there groups or individuals whom we are having difficulty loving? Do we keep Jesus' commandments? We should all be so grateful for Jesus' next words recorded in the gospel of John in chapter fourteen and verse sixteen thru eighteen:

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but ye know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Jesus gives us the key to walking in His commandments in these verses. When we receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord, He sends the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to lead us and guide us in walking in His commandments. We do not accomplish the keeping of His commandments on our own. The Spirit of truth, the Comforter, provides us with reminders, and equips us to walk in love at all times. With the Holy Spirit within us we can walk after His commandments and thereby manifest our love for God.

Little children, walk in love. Obey His commandments, and rely upon the Holy Spirit of God who will help you do that which may seem impossible to do.

Next time we shall take a look at what John says about deceivers who are in the world, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Beckoned to Love 2 John 5 - Equipped for Battle

In our study through the book of Second John, we have been learning that John the apostle is emphasizing the truth. He has been commanded by God to share the truth with the “elect lady”, and we are the benefactors of his writings to her. We have learned of God's grace, mercy and peace that comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ, and that avenues other than through belief in Jesus Christ are in error. In today's verse found in Second John and verse five, we shall discover John's desire for the “elect lady” and us. He wrote:

And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

John uses the word “beseech” which means to ask, beg or entreat someone to do something. Once again John uses the word “lady” in his beckoning, and then refers to the fact that what he is asking is not anything that is new to her. When a commandment is complete, there is no need for additional ones. John simply reminds her of the commandment he has previously given to her which was given to him by Jesus. Jesus said it this way as recorded in the gospel of Matthew in chapter twenty-two and verses thirty-seven through forty:

Jesus said unto him, You shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second [is] like unto it, You shalt love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

When we fulfill these two laws we have kept every other commandment of God. John notes that the commandment to love one another was the commandment he wrote from the beginning. There was no need to alter or change his venue. When we love God and love one another we fulfill all the requirements of the law.

The difficulty for most of us lies in the fact that loving others is easier when they act as we act, do as we do, think as we think, and live as we live. Our challenge is to love when others differ from us. This is where desire meets reality, and we discover whether we really obey the commandment of the apostle John or not. We all need reminders. We all need encouragement, and we all need to be beckoned to love one another over and over again. This is not something new, however it is something to which we all should aspire – love one another.

Next time we shall take a look at what John has to say about how we know if we are walking in love or not, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Truth Commanded 2 John 4 - Equipped for Battle

What is it about our nature that resists being told what to do? Sovereignty dictates autonomy, however ignorance manifests disaster. Yet, we still have a bent toward doing whatever we would like to do rather than have someone else tell us how we must be. But what if we are commanded by God? Are we still as resistant to one who is superior in knowledge and wisdom? Do we have trouble relying upon perfection when it comes to knowing what is best? Today John the apostle continues his thoughts upon the truth, and in his statement he references a directive by God the Father. He wrote in Second John verse four:

I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

There are those within the world who desire to marginalize the directives of God, and they think that their submission will somehow eradicate the commandments of God. They are not successful, nor are their arguments. John the apostle perceived sharing the truth as a commandment from God, and why not? Leading someone in error would prohibit the very core of John's teaching which is that God loves us and desires to have a relationship with us.

Notice too that John “received” this “commandment”. It was not a suggestion, but a “commandment”. John was to share the truth with anyone he encountered, and particularly this “elect lady” and her children. When Jesus sent His disciples which included John out two by two when He was on the Earth, and He commanded their behavior as recorded in the book of Mark in chapter six and verses seven thru thirteen:

And he called [unto him] the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; And commanded them that they should take nothing for [their] journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in [their] purse: But [be] shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed [them].

Jesus knew people's needs then, and He knows them now. God knows we are people who need the truth, who are challenged with alternative ways of thought, and that we must know the difference between that which is true and that which is false. For John to share any other way with this “elect lady” would not only prohibit she and her children from having fellowship with God but us as well.

When we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we abandon our proclivity toward sovereignty, and we align ourselves with the omniscience of the Almighty God whose commandments and commanding way are meant for our advancement and not our demise. Paul the apostle wrote it this way in the book of First Corinthians in chapter six and verse twenty:

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Next time we shall take a look at what John has to say to the elect lady about what to do with love, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Children Walking in Truth 2 John 4 - Equipped for Battle

There are so many sorrows in the world today. Parents often watch their children involve themselves in activities that they never thought they would. Some are so saddened by the way their children talk, relate and the places they go. As we look at today's verse found in Second John, we can almost hear the joy in his voice that there are children who rather than get themselves in trouble, they walk in truth. John says in verse four:

I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

John has been writing to this “elect lady” because of his concern that there are those among her who are not walking in truth. His concern is that other venues will present themselves in opposition to the gospel of Jesus Christ which is that God the Father sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins, and there is no way that we can earn salvation. Our salvation was not free. Jesus paid the price for us, and now the only thing left is that we receive this wonderful gift.

In John's day and in ours, there are those who present other ways to God. There is no other way. Peter the apostle said it this way as recorded in the book of Acts in chapter four and verses ten thru twelve:

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, [even] by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

There is so much error being espoused today, and there are many children who are following after these who present other ways to God. When we as parents watch our children walking in truth, there is no greater joy, and we like John will rejoice greatly at the sight of it.

Today if we have children who are walking away from God and living lives that seem without God, we must come together in prayer and place our children before the Heavenly Father who has given us encouragement through his apostle John that there may be a time of rejoicing about them. May all who read these words be able to join with John in saying my “children walk in truth.”

Next time we will take a look at what John has to say about how truth was a commandment given to him by God, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Gifts in Truth and Love 2 John 3 - Equipped for Battle

Gifts are wonderful to receive and many times just as pleasurable to give. However, the manner in which gifts are given can have greater significance than the gift itself. If someone gives us a gift begrudgingly and with and aggravated attitude, the reliability of their sincerity might be in question. When someone gives us a gift with joy and love and their only intention is our pleasure, the measure in which they give the gift it is often remembered far beyond the gift itself. John the apostle shares the manner in which God the Father and His Son Jesus provide three great gifts of which we studied yesterday – Grace, Mercy and Peace. He wrote these words in Second John in verse three:

Grace be with you, mercy, [and] peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Grace – the unmerited favor of God; Mercy – not getting what we deserve, clemency, and Peace – Peace with God and the Peace of God are mentioned in John's words to the elect lady and to us. These gifts are freely given by God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, and we can see the manner in which they are given - “in truth and love”. John's theme of this tiny book is “truth”, so over and over again we shall see him make reference to the truth. There was so much that was false in John's world, and we can relate because there is so much that is false today. Many people believe they can work themselves into Heaven, and grace refutes that idea. Some think there will be some kind of Divine Scale that measures the good and evil that we have done, but mercy puts all scales aside. Others are never at peace because they wonder constantly whether they will make it into Heaven at all, so they worry and work themselves or obligate themselves to every work that will add “good karma” to their lives. John says, grace, mercy and peace are from God the Father, and no amount of worry or work will ever be able to obtain these gifts that are available for all who will simply receive them.

Notice too that John includes “and love” in this verse. John the apostle is known as the apostle of love. He shares about love in his books over and over again, and now he relates grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ as being given in love. God loves us, and He loves everyone. He desires that everyone receive His gifts, and John knows that there are those around who would divert people from simply receiving grace, mercy and peace. There are people who tell them they must earn these gifts, and if they are “good little boys and girls” they will earn the favor of God. God the Father's favor is already extended. Oh sure, there are works to do, but they come in response to the wonderful gifts that God has given. Out of realizing and accepting these gifts, we now desire to work, not to earn grace, mercy and peace, but to respond in gratitude for blessings we have received.

As a final example of a response to a gift from Jesus, let us look at the book of the gospel of Luke in chapter seventeen and verses seventeen thru nineteen where Jesus has just cleansed ten lepers from their leprosy:

And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where [are] the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Let us all take note today of this one leper who showed gratitude for the gift that Jesus gave him. We should simply receive grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ for they are indeed given to us in truth and love.

Next time we will take a look at what John has to say about walking in the truth, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Grace, Mercy and Peace 2 John 3

In the Second book of John, John the apostle has been emphasizing the truth. Error was rampant in his day as it is today, so there was a great need for this aged apostle to address the issues. Truth comes by Jesus Christ, God's Son, who is the way, the truth and the life. Today in verse three of this tiny book John gives us three benefits to having the truth in his greeting to the elect lady: He wrote:

Grace be with you, mercy, [and] peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Grace, mercy and peace – what a great combination of attributes John gives us. First, there is grace. The Greek word for grace is “charis” which means “unmerited favor”. “Unmerited favor” comes from God the Father in Jesus Christ. There is no amount of work, efforts, ways or being that can merit the love and favor of God. He freely gives it to all who will receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Paul the apostle wrote about grace in Ephesians chapter two and verses eight and nine. He wrote:

For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

This is what separates Christianity from all the other religions of the world. Other religions have people work for their salvation, and Christianity says, “not of works”, and why? Because people then could boast about their accomplishments, their accolades and their disciplines. John greets the elect lady with “grace be to you” as the beginning of establishing the difference between those who declare that work must be done in order to establish salvation, and Christianity says the work has been done. Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished,” and now those who believe that He finished the work are appropriated “unmerited favor” from God.

Secondly, John greets the elect lady with “mercy”. The Greek word used here is “eleos” which means “clemency”. In other words, not getting what we deserve. There is a penalty for sin – death – and we who have sinned deserve death, however, Jesus Christ came and paid the price for our sins upon the cross. He died in our place, and now when we stand before God, God issues “clemency” for we who deserve to die. We do not get what we deserve when we give our lives to Jesus Christ to be our Savior and Lord. If we have not believed in Jesus, then there is no sacrifice for our sins and judgment will be our fate.

Finally, John greets the elect lady with peace. Peace with God and the peace of God are two of the greatest characteristics we may obtain when we know Jesus. Peace with God insures that our salvation is secure, and when we stand before Him someday the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus will appropriate grace and mercy to us and thereby give us Peace with God. The Peace of God is when we live our lives in a manner of peace. The Greek word “eirene” is used by John and it means “a state of natural tranquility”. No matter what comes along in our lives, we can be at peace within knowing that God has everything under control.

For the life of me, I do not understand why anyone would reject grace, mercy and peace that comes from God the Father thru Jesus Christ. For us, it is the only way to live, and for that matter, it is the only way to die. May all who read these words consider greatly the benefits of knowing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Next time we shall continue in this verse with thoughts about how these three attributes emanate from God the Father in love and truth, so meditate upon these ideas again, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

The Truth Forever 2 John 2 - Equipped for Battle

When it comes to truth and error, there is as much need to determine which is which today as there was in the time of the disciples. People everywhere were espousing this as being fact or that as being fact, and when Jesus came on the scene there was another way of thought that was introduced. John the apostle is well aware that for every truth there is a counterfeit, and as we study together through the book of Second John, we shall be drawn to what he has to say about truth. He declared a reason for why he was writing about truth in verse two of Second John:

For the truth's sake, which dwells in us, and shall be with us for ever.

John gives us the reason he is writing to the elect lady and her children, “the truth's sake”.When our eternal lives are concerned, we would be well advised to be concerned about the truth. What if we were on the wrong path? What if there were other ways of which we were unaware that would lead to fellowship with God? John's emphasis upon “the truth's sake” should make us all pay attention. John was one of the closest disciples to Jesus. Even as Jesus was dying upon the cross He entrusted his mother to John. Look at Jesus' words recorded in the gospel of John in chapter nineteen and verses twenty-six and twenty-seven:

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own [home].

John knew the truth, and now his purpose is to refute all false doctrine and declare Jesus as being the truth. Jesus Himself declared in the gospel of John in chapter fourteen and verse six:

I am the way, the truth and the life, and no man comes to the Father but by me.

John's next words in Second John verse two show his belief in this: “which dwells in us”. When a person receives Jesus as their Savior and Lord, He comes to dwell inside of them. Paul the apostle wrote to the church of Colosse in chapter one and verse twenty-seven:

To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Jesus told Nicodemus in the gospel of John in chapter three verse three: “You must be born again.” Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a leader, a religious man, one highly esteemed, and yet Jesus told him the truth “You must be born again.” Jesus says the same words to us today, “you must be born again.” Once we receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord, a rebirth occurs within our spirits, and Christ comes to live inside of us and as John wrote in our verse for today, “and shall be with us for ever.” This is the truth, and John is purposed to be sure those who read his words know it.

The truth that John espouses is that Jesus Christ is come into the world to save sinners. When we who have violated the laws of God receive Jesus into our lives, we have the truth, know the truth, dwell with the truth and have the promise of the truth living within us forever and evermore.

Next time we shall take a look at three attributes of the truth in a welcoming greeting shared by John, so read ahead and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Truth 2 John 1 - Equipped for Battle

Just what is the truth? People usually define it by what they perceive truth to be, and only sometimes later find out what they thought was truth, was not. It's not a lot different today than it was in the days when the Bible was written. The church was in its beginning, and there were itinerant prophets who would go from city to city sharing “truth” with congregations. There was one problem, some of these prophets who “heard a word from the Lord” were false prophets. How were the congregations to know? Was there a way to determine whether a prophet was a false prophet or true one? Today we begin a new book named Second John, and John the apostle helps us to find the answers to these questions and discover ways to reveal false prophets. We read in Second John in verse one:

The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

Notice first that John calls himself “the elder”. Once again John is writing this book somewhere around the time he is ninety years old. He has experience. He knows the different schemes and lies that roaming at this time, and now he addresses “the elect lady and her children.” It is not really known as to who this “elect lady” is. Some think it could have been someone John knew personally. Others believe it is a direct reference to Jerusalem or the church, but whomever it may be we can put ourselves in her place and listen to what John has to say.

John emphasizes his love to the one addressed and attaches “in the truth” to his love, and therefore we begin our theme for this book. Then John reenforces his words with other witnesses. John says “not only I but also all they that have known the truth;” The Bible is very clear about having two or three witnesses whenever something is proclaimed. In Jesus' discourse on the subject of forgiveness he said in the book of Matthew in chapter eighteen and verse sixteen:

But if he will not hear [you, then] take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

John uses this idea to present the truth to “the elect lady and her children.” Notice with me as we begin this book once again: John establishes his credentials; John addresses this woman and her children; John expresses his love in truth for her; and John shares that there are witnesses who also have known the truth that he will discuss with her.

For us today, we might with anticipation be closely observing just what John the apostle has to say to us about truth. With the variety of religions and ways of thought available today, it is important that we know how to distinguish truth from error. There is one proverb that comes to mind as we study this book together. It is found in the book of Proverbs in chapter fourteen and verse twelve:

There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.

That which is offered to us today may “seem” right, but could be leading to “the ways of death”. May we learn from John the apostle the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth as we study his words.

Next time we shall take a look at why we should know the truth, so read ahead and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore