2 John 7-13

7: For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
8: Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.
9: Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he 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, and do not give him a greeting;
11: for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.

12: Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that your joy may be made full.

13: The children of your chosen sister greet you.

*** 

After having expressed his joy in finding her children walking in the truth, and encouraging her to continue in the commandment of love that was given in the beginning when Christ came, John warned of the deceivers--many deceivers--who had gone out into the world. These were ones who did not acknowledge that Jesus Christ--the Son of God--actually came in the flesh. These ones deny the incarnation--that Jesus was clothed with flesh, took on a human form, and was born into the world. These deceivers may also deny that He will come again. This is the spirit of antichrist (1 John 4:1-3). The world might turn away from God and ignore Him, but satan, the antichrist spirit, works to oppose Him.

John urged them to watch themselves so they wouldn't lose what had been accomplished, but would receive a full reward. The apostles worked hard and suffered much to spread the Gospel of Christ. How great their joy to see those in whom the Word had taken root and grown. He did not want to see that lost, nor to lose them.

John said those who go too far, and don't remain in the teaching of Christ, do not have God. On the other hand, the one who abides in the teaching of Christ has both the Father and the Son (1 John 2:22-24, John 14:23). He said not to receive those who oppose Christ into their home, and to not even greet them as a brother. Greeting them with a Christian greeting would be like saying the wanted God's blessings on their efforts to oppose Christ--as if participating in their evil deeds. 

John ended the letter by saying there was more he wanted to say, but preferred to do it in person. He sent greetings from her, "chosen sister," or a sister church.




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