7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
2 John 7-11
In 2 John, “love” is mentioned four times and “truth” is mentioned five times. It is obvious that the apostle John emphasized that the fellowship and relationship of the saints are based on “love” and “truth”; and “love” and “truth” are inseparable. Love must have boundaries with the truth. Without boundaries, indiscriminate love is not true love.
The 1st-century church faced the Gnostics heretics, who denied the humanity and incarnation of Jesus Christ (Incarnation; 1 John 4: 2-3) and considered the resurrection a fact of the past (cf. 2 Timothy 2: 18).
There are many philosophies, religions, and theories in the world that are specious and want to take us away from the teachings of Christ. The Apostle John reminds us to be careful! Don’t even receive these all-pagan people with their specious teachings! Our life, time, and resources are limited, do not take part in their wicked teachings. We should devote ourselves to studying the teachings of Christ, choose to obey God’s words, and leave evil deeds.
Prayer:
God, please help me understand, study your teachings well, and always hold on to them! Give me wisdom, knowledge, and discernment to escape worldly babble and plausibility. Let me live up to your will well, full of love and truth!
Raisins & Apples Bible Devotional & more 