False Doctrine 12.22.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today we are studying the books of II & III John, and Jude, please read II & III John and Jude in your Bible or you can click the following links, if the links do not work you can copy and paste the link next to them.
II John : biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20John%201&version=9
III John : biblegateway.com/passage/?search=3%20John%201&version=9
Jude : biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude%201&version=9

Today we will be reading about the commandment to love one another; the warning against deceivers; Diotrephes's rebuke; and the judgment on false teachers. Today's message focuses on the importance of staying in the truth of God's Word and telling others.

The book of II John is the 24th book/19th epistle of the New Testament and contains 1 chapter. The author of the book is John and it was written to the "elect lady and her children," which means the Church and its members. (The Church is always addressed in the feminine gender because she is called the bride of Christ.). The purpose of the letter was to caution believers to be faithful to sound doctrine and to warn against false teachers. What we are to learn from the book is that we must guard against false teachers who cause us to lose the spiritual qualities we have developed and who make us partakers of their evil.

In this brief letter to the Church John reminds them that we are commanded to love one another. "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; For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. 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. I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. 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 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. 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." (II John 1-7). Hold on to the truths that are in the Bible and do not be decieved by those who try to change your way of thinking.

The book of III John is the 25th book/20th epistle of the New Testament and contains 1 chapter. The author of the book is John and it was written to a man named Gaius. It is written to both him and the church with which he was connected. There is no way to identify who this man was, as the Bible gives no further information on him. The truths of the letter are applicable to all believers. The purpose of the letter was to commend Gaius and Demetrius for their Christian testimony and to reprove the unchristian behavior of Diotrephes. What we are to learn from the book is that our lives are examples of either good or evil to others around us.

In this brief letter John emphasizes the importance of staying away from things which are evil. "The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.........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. 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. Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true." (III 1:1-4,10-12). This is a reminder to keep our thoughts pure and get around godly people and things.

The book of Jude is the 26th book/21st and last epistle of the New Testament and contains one chapter. The author of the book is Jude (the earthly brother of Jesus by Mary and Joseph) and it was written to all Christians, although the specific audience at the time were members of churches in Palestine and/or Asia. The purpose of the letter was to warn against false teachers and what we are to learn from the book is that we must always be alert for false teachers who divert believers from the truth of God's Word.

In this brief letter to all believers Jude expresses the importance of holding on to the truths of God's Word and being careful not to let the ungodly people get around them to corrupt their thinking. "Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ." (Jude 1:1-4).

There is a superficial and deceptive unity being promoted today by some who have joined hands with religions that reject Jesus of Nazareth as the Only Lord God, and our Savior Jesus Christ. Other religions deny either the total deity or the total humanity of Jesus. Some assume there is only One God, but that He is called by various names, such as Allah or Buddha. They ignorantly conclude that as long as you are sincere, it doesn't matter what you believe you will go to heaven.

Jude also warns that the deceivers will be judged, "But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core." (1:10-11).

Having been enlightened to recognize false doctrine, we can add a resounding "Praise the Lord" to Jude's closing statement, "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." (1:21-25).

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Help each of us to understand the wiles of the devil and to be steadfast in our determination to resist temptation at each step. We want to be self-controlled and alert, standing firm in the faith as we resist the devil who prowls around like a roaring lion seeking for someone to devour. Thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit to resist and to overcome. In Jesus' name........Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!
God Bless,
Christina

Visit A Spiritual Guide
aspiritualguide.net