2 John 9-13
Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings.
According to John, anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God. What does "running ahead and not continuing in the teaching of Christ" mean? It refers to the truth that Christ became the flesh. Anyone that denies that Jesus became flesh and sacrificed His life for us on the cross does not have God in his heart, for he rejects the truth God reveals to him. Many people nowadays would think that they are smart and their approach is better and more effective than that of God. In fact we have to admit that human beings are foolish. No matter how much we want to figure out with our little brains, we can never understand why God loves us so much and figure out a better way to atone for our sins. When it occurs to you that God has sent His sinless Son to die for us and take over all His punishment for our sins, you have to applaud for Him: "Wow, it is really the most wonderful idea!" Not only was it the most wonderful idea, only God can carry it out, and only Jesus can save us.
The salvation Jesus has accomplished on the cross is the basis of the whole salvation, and the foundation of our belief as well. We need to keep this truth and hold it, so that it can become the joy and strength of our daily life. In John 8:32 Jesus said: "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." When the truth reveals itself, it brings to us the authority and power to set us free from the power of the darkness, all anxieties and fears. The truth can bring us the joy, too. I have seen many Christians still living in the shadow of the darkness even after they accepted the Lord, just like many people that were living inland at the time of the victory of Anti-Japanese War. They didn't get the news of the victory, so they thought they were still living a miserable life under the oppression of the Japanese Army. In fact they were already set free. But since they didn't know the truth, they were still under the oppression. Likewise, many Christians nowadays need to understand the truth of God, for the truth can set us free. That is why John said that he wanted to visit the believers so that they could have not just joy, but the complete joy.
Pray with Pastor Tong Liu
Lord, we thank you, for we can be set free in truth. May your Spirit flow in our life to help us understand that we are living in the kingdom of light now, no longer under the control of the power of the darkness, and we can enter into your kingdom of glory, brightness and freedom. We thank you and we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!
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