John
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James 4:17 "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
1 John 1:6 "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:"
1 John 3:6 "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him."
Blessings
(Part 2):
So, what is salvation? For me, salvation happened the moment I received Christ and His Spirit came into my spirit. That was a one-time event. I can only be born of His Spirit once. But like you, I also see salvation as past, present, and future. In other words, I was saved, I am being saved, and in the end, I will be saved.
I'm looking at Philippians 1:6 which reads, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"
The first thing I notice is that Paul says, "being confident." This is actually a Perfect Tense which should read "having become confident." Paul can confidently say about this very thing that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform (literally complete it), until the day of Jesus Christ. God's promise to us is that whatever work He began in us, He's going to complete it until Christ comes. That's how permanent our salvation is!
I also agree that when we receive Jesus through faith, our sins are forgiven, we are justified by faith, and covered with a white garment, clean and pure. We are covered in the righteousness of Christ. He (Jesus) is pure and clean ( Philippians 3:9).
Please notice that I didn't use the word "accept." I'm not sure if you knew this or not, but the bible never tells us to accept Jesus. It does tell us to receive Him ( John 1:12). I don't mean to be fastidious, but in my mind, there's a difference between the words accept and receive, especially when it comes to Christ. To accept just means to mentally agree with something, or someone. We must receive Him.
Should we ask what salvation truly is? Is it a one-time event, as it is often strongly preached today, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, or is it a lifelong journey? I see salvation as encompassing the past, present, and future. When we accept Jesus through faith, our past sins are forgiven, we are justified by faith, declared innocent of sin, and covered with a white garment, clean and pure.
We then begin a lifetime of sanctification, becoming more like Christ, and we must continually repent of our sins, walking in the Spirit to keep our garments spotless, as 1 John 1:9 states. I believe this is why there are so many warnings that we must endure, to overcome, and keep our garments spotless. We must maintain our garments, which signify a lifelong relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit on the way to our glorification when we are resurrected.
Our robes are made white not by us but, Revelation 7:14, unrepentant sin defiles, Revelation 3:4-5, staying steadfast in our faith, Revelation 16:15. This is lifelong; we are to be faithful until our death, Revelation 2:10, Revelation 12:11. There is a reason for these many warnings; we should at least ask why.
Thank you, brother.
God bless,
RLW
Well put!
In John 14:6 Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, AND THE LIFE: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
When we recieve Christ we recieved LIFE!
We recieve Christ Spirit! ( A LIFE GIVING SPIRIT)
Christ Spirit cannot die!
We have been baptized by the Holyspirit into eternal life! We have eternal life now.
Eternal NEVER ENDS!
We were baptized into his death.
Our old man is crucified with him, he can never hurt us with our standing with the Lord!
We stumbled in these corrupt bodies every day! Even in thought!
And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 1 John 2:1
1 John 1:8 says "If WE say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
John is talking to saved people! Not someone who has lost their salvation!
John included himself! (WE)
There will never be a time here in this world where you will ever have no sin.
So if anyone can lose Christ/Salvation then no one was ever saved and never will be.
You also see the work of Christ as our advocate in Romans 4:6-8.
Romans 4:6-8 reads, "Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord WILL NOT IMPUTE SIN.
We're covered with Christ righteousness!
It's the heart that has changed in a true believer.
There is no desire to sin.
It grieves Christ Spirit that we now possess.
We're forever changing in the likeness of Christ but we will never be perfect until we are delivered from this body of this death.
Thanks again Brother.
God bless.
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1 John 1:10
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
we are goanna sin daily and no one is perfect or without sin. If we could live a life sin free, God would not have sent his only son to die for us.
I understand we can't live however we want to and practice our sin. For the spirt is willing but the flesh is weak.
1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
Matthew 19:16
"And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"
Matthew 19:17
"And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."
Blessings
For the believer; the opposite is the case as 1 John 1:5 states in "Him there is no darkness at all." These two verses along with similar cross references summarizes the state of the world vs those who know the Lord and hence are in the world but not of it ( John 17:16). In a broader sense it also defines those who are trapped in this world system and can't see beyond it and those who are "rapture ready" and will be delivered soon; that are currently "seated in heavenly places" according to Ephesians 2:6.
Isaiah 8:22 shows the condition of those left behind in the Tribulation: And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness. At that time some will cry out to God and be heard; others not. We can look to God's chosen people in Exodus 2:23; many passages in Psalms; etc. but we are warned ( Micah 3:4).
Jeremiah 7:16 even shows a passage where the Prophet was not to pray for His own people as judgment was set forth; and the Tribulation will also be with judgments already predetermined according to the seal; trumpet and vial judgments decided in the Divine council. Nonetheless, it will bring forth a "countless multitude" according to Revelation 7:9 and the complete fulfillment of Joel 2 started at Pentecost with many "signs and wonders" on the earth as well as dreams and visions coming to men and women everywhere.
Again; Daniel reminds us in the 12th chapter that only the wise will understand; not the wicked ( Daniel 12:10). We can only work now to fulfill the Great Commission and "occupy until He comes" ( Luke 19:13) but once the Rapture occurs the "gig" is up as it were; and men will have to be given strong delusion by God because of their love for evil ( 2 Thess. 2:11). Let us preach the truth and love God with our whole heart; mind and soul dutifly.
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the light of the world, and Lucifer (or Satan) is a fallen angel who became the Prince of Darkness through his rebellion. There is no biblical support for the idea that Lucifer and God the Father are both sons of God, with Lucifer being the firstborn. This idea conflicts with the clear teachings of Scripture that affirm Jesus alone as the Son of God.
Lucifer's origin: Lucifer was originally a high-ranking angel created by God, but he fell from grace due to pride and rebellion. The Bible makes no mention of Lucifer being a "son" of God in the sense of divine sonship.
Isaiah 14:12 (KJV) - "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!"
Ezekiel 28:15 (KJV) - "Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee."
Lucifer was a created being, not a son of God in the sense of the relationship between God and Christ. His title "son of the morning" refers more to his brilliance and beauty as a created being before his fall, not to any sonship status like Jesus Christ.
The true Son of God (Jesus Christ): The Bible is clear that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, not Lucifer. Christ is the eternal Word who became flesh and represents the light.
John 1:14 (KJV) - "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the ONLY begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
John 8:12 (KJV) - "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
Lucifer's rebellion: Lucifer's role as the "Prince of Darkness" is a result of his rebellion against God. He is the leader of the forces of evil, not a divine son, and his nature stands in stark contrast to Christ, the true Son of God, who represents light.
2 Corinthians 11:14
The names that the Gospel of Matthew so carefully preserves - from Abraham to Joseph. There is order there, and purpose.
Ephesians 3:6
Today, we are part of that same body, though in a different way: not by natural descent, but by the faith that unites us to the Son. John 1:12-13
Those who came before prepared the way for the One who would gather in Himself all who were lost. Isaiah 53:5
If the Body of Christ is made up of many members, then the genealogy is like the bone -
the unseen but essential structure of the human body. Each generation upheld the promise - even without fully understanding - until the promise became flesh. 1 John 4:4
For there lies the evidence that the Lord came not through angels, but through people - fathers and mothers,
the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 24
If we are His body, as the Scriptures say, then we are also grafted into that lineage - not by blood, but by grace.
Not heirs by right, but by adoption. And that, to me, is the sweetest form of belonging.
The genealogy of Christ is, therefore, a body - and in it, we were placed.
Part 1
Thank you for your reply, I certainly do not mind. I understand that this subject is delicate, and I am blessed to have brothers and sisters on this site willing to discuss it. Revelation is a challenging book, and I am looking forward to Jesse getting through it.
You have listed some exciting verses, and I hope to share my thoughts on them and your post, not to determine who may be right, but rather to view the discussion as a nudge to pray and study. On the verses you listed, John 12:49-50, Jesus is saying the Father gave Him a commandment and what the Father told Him to say, Jesus was obedient.
John 8:28-29, the Pharisees were debating with Jesus who He was, and He said that in verse 28-29 when He is lifted up/crucified, they will know who He is. We see in Matthew 28:54 when Jesus died and those things that happened, the centurion and those who were there greatly feared and said, "Truly this was the Son of God.
John 7:16-19, the gospels, reveal the glory of the Father who sent Jesus; all that Jesus did was accomplished by the Father through the Holy Spirit, with which Jesus was anointed without measure.
In John 4:34, John 5:19, John 5:30, and John 8:26 all say that it is the Father, not Him, on in John 14:10 Jesus was in the Father and the Father was in Him this was from the time Jesus was anointed without measure the Holy Spirit when He was baptized and made the Messiah.
Jesus was and is the Word of God; John 1:14. God was in the flesh in Jesus through the Holy Spirit, just like these verses say. The beginning in John, many understand it as the beginning of creation, my understanding is the beginning of Jesus' ministry, as we see in Mark 1:1, Luke 1:2, and 1 John 1:1.
To me, Jesus was the first in the plan of God, Revelation 3:14, and everything was created in Jesus, not by Him, and all was created for Jesus and the purpose of the Father. Revelation 13:8 and 1 Peter 1:18-21.
See part 2
John 10:30 I and my Father are one. Should we not consider other verses, John 17:11, John 17:20-23, John 14:28. These verses, Numbers 23:19, John 20:17, 2 Corinthians 11:31, Ephesians 1:3, Ephesians 4:4-6, and 1 Peter 1:3. Then, in Revelation 21:22-23 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
God wanted to be with His people, He first instructed Moses to build a tabernacle, which was symbolic of Jesus. Jesus was born without sin, not by man but of the seed of a woman whose Father was God. God could dwell in Him. Like the tabernacle, Jesus was holy, not defiled. Jesus became the light of the world, the Shekinah Glory manifested in Him and God again dwelt with man in the flesh of Jesus, to me that is John 1:14.
I do thank you for your reply, and I hope and pray I do not offend anyone who reads what I post; our discussions should only inspire us to study, not to win or demean, if so, we all lose.
I will stop here; I do not want to get ahead of Jesse's work in Revelation. You are always welcome to reply to me GiGi.
God bless,
RLW
3 John 1:11 - Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
John says, beloved, follow not that which is evil. The word follow is this word for mime, MIMETAI, which I have shared with you before. In Greek theater, a person would come out in a costume and a painted face and would act out a message. Paul picks this up from a theatrical language and applies it to the believer as far as representing the word expression, so that Paul would say in 1 Corinthians 11:1, imitate me as I imitate Christ.
It doesn't mean copy. That's not what he's talking about. MIME means the expression of Christ. That's why Paul says, be the expression of me, as I am in Christ. Do you see Christ through me? Do you see Christ live through me? Do you see Christ express Himself through me? Let it be the same expression in your life!
He says, do not express that which is evil, but that which is good. And the word good is not good in the human, but good spiritually. It is the word AGATHOS. God is good! Someone came to Jesus, and they said good teacher, and Jesus said wait a minute, before I answer your question, why did you call me good teacher? Because there's only one that's good (AGATHOS), and that's God.
Jesus used the word AGATHOS. There's only one that is AGATHOS in the whole universe, and that's God. So, he was pointing out to him that you just called me God. Do you realize that? Now I'll answer your question for you.
He that does good, literally, the one who is practicing the good, is from out of God: but he that practices evil has not even seen God. And again, we're not talking about good and evil from a human standpoint. We're talking about the good of God that's produced by His Spirit. Diotrephes was displaying that he was not from God.
This is all I have for 3 John. I will be going through Jude next which is another short book and should go fairly quick!
God Bless!!!
3 John 1:10 - Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he is doing, prating, or braiding against us with malicious words: Literally, evil words. Not just bad words, but evil words (PONEROS). And he's not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brethren, the ones that come from out of town, especially from John.
And forbids them that would, that is, have a desire to receive them, and he casts them out of the church if they do. Someone once said every church has a Diotrephes. But John says you have to watch out. These types of leaders are in the church. John says that if I can make it over there, and remember he's in his 90's, but he says I'm going to deal with him!
3 John 1:7 - Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
It says, "Because that for his name's sake," but literally in the Greek text, it's on account of (the name). And you might even hear that phrase in and amongst Jewish people today, HASHEM. As you might know, the Orthodox Jews do not say the name God. And when they write the name God, it will be G-D, so that they're not even writing the word.
They will call God ADONAI. They will not call Him by His name YAHWEH. They will call Him ADONAI which means Lord. What is happening now is that more and more of them are calling God HASHEM, which means The Name. And when they say HASHEM, everybody knows what they're making reference to.
Because of the name sake, these travelers went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
3 John 1:9 - I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
We just saw the commendation of Gaius. Now in Verses 9 and 10, we see the Condemnation of Diotrephes. It's interesting that his name, DIOS, which was the word for the Greek god Zeus. That was the main god. And TROPHE means to nourish. They named him "nourished by Zeus." You can tell by his name that everywhere that he went, he expected to be put in charge, having the special blessing upon him.
But John says in Verse 9, I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence, literally the first place among them, receives us not.
3 John 1:3 - For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
Walkest, or walking is a biblical term that represents a person's conduct or lifestyle. All day long, we're walking. We're taking steps. It denotes our direction. It denotes how we conduct our lives. It's not just knowing the truth, but walking in the truth!
3 John 1:6 - Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
But he says these brethren, and these strangers have born witness of your charity, that's AGAPE love, before the church: They got up and gave a testimony of this man, and of the love and the truth that is in this man's life. Whom if you bring forward, that is, these people, on their journey after a godly sort, you shall do well:
So, he's encouraging him to bring in these brothers and these strangers who have a good testimony about him, but he says it's important what you do. That is, not only do you house them, but you send them on their way with the things that they are going to need for their traveling, and for their trip.
A very generous man!
3 John 1:2 Continued...
Now here's the literal translation: even as your soul is prospering.
The tense of the verb in that last phrase tells you that he is prospering in his soul. But he's praying for his circumstances and his health to hold up, to support the good that he's already doing in the Spirit realm for Christ. So, it's not a health and wealth gospel thing. It's John saying that God's people have been so blessed by your hospitality, and I can only pray that your journey and your health will hold up so that you can continue to minister to God's people.
It's just the opposite of how the "health and wealth" people take this verse. His soul is already prospering. He's praying his journey and his health, that it would hold up, as his soul is already prospering.
The reason is given to us in Verse 3.
3 John 1:2 - Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
He says, beloved, again the word AGAPE, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers. This verse alone has been taken out of context, and it has been a springboard for the "health and wealth" teachings, that your physical circumstances act as a barometer as to your spiritual condition.
That is to say, that if you are sick, or if you're in hard difficult circumstances, that means that you have sinned, and you need to repent and get yourself right with God, because John prayed "Above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.
They are making the connection there that the material realm displays your spiritual condition, because God wants you to be healthy, and God wants you to be wealthy. So, if you're not healthy and wealthy, then you're sinning against God and being disobedient.
Well, as you could imagine, that's not what the verse says! He says I wish. In fact, that's the word for prayer. I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper. The word prosper is not associated with material gain, such as money or material objects. It means to have a good journey. And that you be in health. This is where we get our word hygiene from. That you be sound, wholesome, and your health holds up.
3 John 1:1 Continued
God's love in John was directed towards Gaius. And you can understand why, if indeed he has been kicked out of his church because he showed genuine hospitality to the traveling Christians. And the testimony of him said that he took care of you if you stayed at his place. He was genuinely generous and hospitable.
So, you can understand why John would write him a letter and say to the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in truth, just like he said in 2 John. And again, John's emphasis is that love and truth are inseparable. When I say love, I mean AGAPE love. There are other forms of love that we're all familiar with. But God's love is not separated from the truth. You cannot compromise with love for the truth, and you also cannot with truth for love. You just can't do it. They go hand in hand.
So, when I take into consideration that if I tell the truth to the people around me, that they are going to reject me, so I will not tell them, that's not love, that's compromise! But we sometimes cannot come to the point where we can accept the fact that God would put us in a position that if we obeyed Him, somebody's feelings might get hurt, or somebody might get angry.
(3 John Part 1a):
This letter was written to instruct the church about the responsibilities of genuine hospitality.
3 John 1:1 - The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
He says, the elder (PRESBUTEROS), which is where we get our word Presbyterian from. But PRESBUS means an older person, an elderly person. And it was used to designate both age and position. I would emphasize to you that an elder in the church is somebody who is older in the Lord.
There are church committees that vote in new elders, and some of the elders who get voted in are new believers. In one religious group, there are elders who are 16 years of age. It's like "Hey, you want to take a shot at it for a year? Okay, you're in."
That is not what the scriptures teach about elders. We know from 1 Timothy Chapter 3, all of the maturity and the standing testimony that a person must have in order to be an elder, and even a deacon. But an elder is somebody who is older. John is both. He is an elder in age because he's probably in his 90's at this point. I believe there's a document that tells us that he died at about 98 years of age.
And he's also an elder in the church. He is the last surviving apostle in the church. All he says is the elder. And everybody knows who the elder is. There's only one left of the group. So, the elder, unto the wellbeloved Gaius, and wellbeloved is the word AGAPE in adjective form. This is to Gaius, the beloved brother. And beloved has to do with being the object of God's love.
2 John 1:13 Continued
Even in 1 Corinthians Chapter 5, where there was one man in the church in Corinth that was committing sexual immorality, and Paul says you're not doing anything about it. Don't you know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? One person living in un-repented sin in a church affects the whole church. Just think of how much effect it has on a church if you have 1,000 people show up.
When our main goal is "numbers," there will always be problems. In the early church, they wouldn't let any single church get larger than 10 to 15 people, because then people would notice you, and they were trying to hide from all the persecution and meet privately. But also, because 10 to 15 people were about all a person could really pastor and keep track of all week long, so that people could help each other that are within the fellowship.
We push in the opposite direction, and we bring the leaven into the church. We bring in the false teaching into the church because we want to get as many people in there as possible, when in reality, from day one, the church was for Christians to get fed and to grow. That doesn't mean the church can't evangelize and preach the gospel message. But the church was specifically for God's people, to feed them. And we've lost our way!
In 3 John, he's going to minister to another fellow by the name of Gaius who has a church in his home. But there's somebody in that fellowship that basically has taken this commandment too far: don't let anybody stay in your home that's come from John.
And so, when John sent out people to these various churches to minister to them, this one guy says don't house John's helpers.
So, John's going to have some things to say to him. And then after we get finished with that, we'll take the one chapter of Jude. Some believe Jude is the most powerful book in the bible. It is very powerful, and we'll study about false teaching in the last days.
Blessings to you all in Christ!
2 John 1:13 - The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
Then he says, the children of your elect sister greet you. Amen. Nothing about the sister, but the children of the elect sister. The ones who were with John greet her. And it is believed that whoever the elect sister is, she's either not there, or she has deceased.
One of the reasons that causes us to interpret this as a real person is because it is written to someone who houses people in their home, not to the whole church type of a thing, even though it would apply to everyone.
But children are children of God, not children of the church. So, if the sister is the church, and her children are the members of the church, that wouldn't fit with correct doctrine. People are not children of the church. They're children of God. There are many different approaches that people take, but the teaching section remains the same, and it remains for us.
For many years now, the "public" church opens up the body of Christ to the non-believers, and the heretics, and everybody else to come in. And there's nothing you can do about it, not unless they cause a disturbance. You can ask them to leave, but they don't have to leave because it's a public church. It's illegal to kick them out!
I know of a pastor who was approached and told that there was some immoral activity going on in his congregation, right there in the church service. And he said he knew about it but he couldn't do anything because they would sue him! So, we have this problem today. And I look at the early church, and how the scripture says don't let them in your house if they don't have the correct doctrine of Jesus Christ.
But yet, there's a philosophy and a mentality today that that's what church is for. Bring in all the non-believers, and all the quacks, and all the false whatever's, and we'll preach the gospel to them. Well, what do you do when they stay around, and they propagate their own false teachings?
2 John 1:12 - 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.
So, he says I'm writing this because this is urgent. Don't let anybody in your house that does not carry the correct doctrine of Jesus Christ. But it's interesting that he says I write with paper and ink. Actually, the leaves of the papyrus plants in Egypt were used like paper, what we know as paper.
And they used to make ink out of soot and water, mixed with resin gum to make it hard, sort of like a chalk stick. And they would write on this papyrus paper leaf. He says I'm writing to you on the papyrus with ink, but I trust to come to you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
2 John 1:10 - If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
That last phrase, neither bid him God speed, means do not speak greetings. Receive him not into your house, neither speak greetings to him. Now that's pretty harsh! But if you remember, the church met in the homes. But especially this elect lady, she was hospitable towards traveling teachers and preachers.
She had to find out what their doctrine was and if they did not hold to the doctrine of Jesus Christ, as taught by Christ and the apostles, she was not to let them into her home. In our day and time, people might say that this is not showing love. But that is John's whole point here. We as believers, we compromise with the truth for the sake of love. But that's not divine love.
2 John 1:11 - For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
The word partaker is the word KOINONIA which means fellowship, fellowship with their evil works. Now that's pretty heavy! What he's saying is that truth and love go hand in hand. You cannot compromise with the truth and say "Well, we don't agree on the truth, but we'll just love one another!"
Remember what John said at the beginning, I love my children who walk in truth. They are inseparable. God's divine love only loves in the truth, period! And we're doing others and ourselves a grave disservice by compromising with the truth for the sake of what we call love, so that we don't offend anyone.
What kind of love is that anyways if I have to compromise with the truth and you die in your sins? We have to ask ourselves, is it really love if we compromise with the truth so that that person doesn't get offended in the truth of Christ? We're supposed to represent the truth of Christ, and His love.
2 John 1:9 - Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
Whosoever transgresses, and abides (MENO) not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. Does not have God!
A person is called a transgressor that's going beyond. The Gnostics went beyond the teachings of Jesus Christ, or the doctrine of Christ. And they went beyond the teachings of the apostles. They didn't remain in the doctrine of Christ but went in another direction. John says they do not have God.
He that abides, (Present Participle), the one who is abiding continuously in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son. Uh oh! The Gnostics don't believe the Father and the Son go together, or as one. Here we go again!
Jesus said, the Father judges no man, but has given all judgement to the Son, that as all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. If you do not honor the Son, you honor not the Father who has sent Him. They go together. You cannot separate them. You cannot give the Father honor and not the Son. And you can't give the Son honor and not the Father.
John 5:18 says therefore the Jews sought to kill Him because He not only had broken the Sabbath day, but said also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. They knew! Some might say, "Well, I wouldn't have gotten that out of that." That's because ours is in an English translation.
The way it is understood in the Middle East, when Jesus said my Father works today, and I work, He's saying the Father and I are one. So, they sought to kill Him because it says He made Himself equal to God. Jesus could have told them "No, no, you guys misunderstood me," because that's blasphemy to call Him God.
But He didn't do that, because He is God! And they sought to kill Him. So, the person who is abiding in the correct doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.
2 John 1:7 - 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.
For many deceivers have entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This person is, and these have Definite Articles, this person is (the) deceiver, and (the) antichrist. We have a false confession going on. So, he is encouraging them to walk in love and keep the commandments as the evidence in the believer's life. Now you might think that's a pretty simple thing, but he's actually setting her up for something here.
2 John 1:8 - Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
Look to yourselves, and that's the first commandment in the letter, look. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have worked, but that we receive a full reward.
A believer cannot lose their salvation. I am saved because Christ is in me. Jesus Christ would have to leave me in order for me not to be saved. And He says He won't do that. That's the basis of salvation. Once I'm saved, the work that Christ performs in my life, the changes and the transformation that takes place in me, the renewing of the mind, it lasts forever. But it's a growth process.
We see in 1 Corinthians Chapter 3, and in 2 Peter Chapter 1 that a believer is going to suffer loss, not their salvation, but we're going to pass through the fire. This is not Hell. It's sort of a "test range." But we're going to pass through the fire and that which is not of Christ is going to burn. And whatever we have left, that's who we will be throughout eternity.
So, he's saying to those people, be watching, so that first of all, we don't lose the work, the ministry that we've done among you. And secondly, you don't miss receiving your full reward by being distracted away from love and truth.
2 John 1:2 - For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
Verse 2 in the Greek text says, On account of the truth. That's the literal translation. It's the premise, the basis. On account of the truth, which is dwelling in us, and shall be with us forever. Of course, he's personifying truth. Jesus said in John 14:6, I am the way, the truth, and the life. If you have Christ, you have life. If you have Christ, you have the truth. We have the truth that dwells in us, and the truth will be with us forever!
2 John 1:4 - I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
He says, I rejoiced greatly that I have found of your children walking in truth. He keeps repeating it over, and over again. But he's doing it for a purpose. He says I have greatly rejoiced that I have found of your children walking in truth.
Walking is a Participle, showing a way of life, a habit of life. It is very rare to find these days. That's why John says I greatly rejoiced when I found out that your children are walking in the truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
2 John 1:5 - 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.
And now I beseech thee, lady, and the word beseech which usually means appeal, in this instance, it means request. He's not commanding them. He's not appealing to them. He says now I make a request of thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we should be loving one another.
Again, notice that it's not a command. We who know Christ, if indeed we are saved, then we should be loving one another. That's the evidence of being saved. It's not something that we have to practice doing.
2 John 1:1 Continued
And Christians helped other Christians so they wouldn't have to stay at the Inns. Not only did it cost them money at the Inns, but the Inns were corrupt. They were mainly dens of prostitution. And for the believers who were traveling, they would come into town and find out who the Christians were and then stay at someone's home. It didn't cost them anything, and it kept them away from the corruption that took place at the Inn.
So, this woman, and in fact, some people go as far as to take the Greek word for the word lady, in elect lady. The word lady is KURIA. Some believe that's her name, the elect KURIA. But it is some woman who obviously is important in the church. Some believe it is Mary, that she would be the elect lady, and her children. So, it's from the elder John, to this elect lady and her children.
Then he says whom, that's plural for all of them, for the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; That's a strange statement. Aren't we supposed to love everybody? Interesting that God's love is not separated from the truth. The bible says love not the world, neither the things in the world. That includes the people.
How did God show His love for the world? It was by sending His Son to die for their sins. But it was His own people that He blessed! Others who had not repented, who did not belong to Christ, they were still in their sins. God worked with them, but He didn't share with them the humanitarian kind of love that we think love is.
These people whom I love in the truth. What if they're not in the truth? Well, that's exactly the point!
And not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; Notice "have known." That's a Perfect Tense. He's talking about those with him, his friends, people he fellowships with. They also love those who are walking in the truth. That is, those who have known the truth.
2 John 1:1 Continued
So it is to a woman, and her children. And many believe that because John, and you'll remember at the cross in John Chapter 19, John was given Mary to take care of her. Jesus said son behold thy mother, and mother behold thy son. And He's talking to John, that after the death of Christ, John was to take care of Mary.
It's interesting, because again John who is in his 90's now, he is in the city of Ephesus, and many believe that he's writing to her and the church that is in her home, and that she does have children. Now keep in mind that the early church was not in a building. It didn't have names on it. It was not an organization.
The early believers, for almost three hundred years, they either met in the home, or as the persecution increased over the years, they met in secret. And so, you get this idea when you hear about the church, that there's this grandioso building, with stained glass windows, and the whole deal, you know?
But the word church in the bible (EKKLESIA) means called out ones. It's the name of the people. People are the church, the called-out ones. What John is dealing with here is this wonderful elect lady and her children, and the fact that she has some of the church people in her home at times.
But he indicates for sure that she gives lodging to traveling Christians, especially traveling preachers. And that's what they did in those days. The preacher would come into town, and he would seek out what families in town were being hospitable to the itinerate preachers, and they would go and stay there with them.
(2 John Part 1a):
2 John was written to combat the infiltration of Gnostic teaching into the church. John's main theme is the correct doctrine of the humanity of Jesus Christ. The sub-theme is the assurance of salvation for genuine believers.
2 John 1:1 - 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;
He says the elder. He's introducing himself as the elder. He is elder in two different ways. He's in his 90's now. He's in Ephesus as the oldest apostle still living. All the others have died a martyr's death. He is the elder in position, and age. He says unto the elect lady and her children.
There are two views as to who the elect lady is. Some believe that it is a church, and that her children are the members of the church. In Verse 13 itself, in signing off, he says the children of your elect sister greet you. There's no greeting from the sister. Apparently, she's not there. Or if it's a person, she's passed away, and only the children send their greetings.
You may or may not agree, but it is my position that he's actually writing to a woman and her children. It is interesting, as you carry that out, as archaeologists have found that the city of Ephesus is where Mary, the mother of Jesus, lived and died in her later years. And of course, Matthew 13:55 tells us that after the birth of Jesus Christ, Joseph and Mary had other children.
Some groups don't believe that. They want to keep Mary pure and a virgin for her whole life. But that's not what the bible teaches. She was a virgin up to the birth of Christ. But there are other brothers and sisters to Him. And He actually had interaction with them during His public ministry.
1 John 1:10 - If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
If we say that we have not sinned, and that's what is called a Perfect Tense. That is, you have never sinned up to this point, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. What does that mean? Paul says all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
We have all of the Old Testament scriptures that talk about the corruption of man and the sinfulness of man, and all of the New Testament scriptures that talk about man's sin, the total depravity of man. And some of the Gnostics said "I've never sinned. It was my body, not me!"
If we say that we have not sinned, we're making God a liar because God says in His word, you're a sinner. And if you say you have not sinned, His word is not in you. You're not saved!