Watch Out!
Monday, November 12, 2012
We read in 2 John 8-9: “Watch yourselves that you do not
lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. 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.”
There will be many deceivers who will come into our
churches, or who may even pastor many of our churches, who will try to lead us
astray to a false gospel of men. They will teach what is not in accord with
sound doctrine, and what is not in agreement with the teachings of Christ or
with that of the apostles. So, we must be watchful so that we don’t lose what
was accomplished for us on the cross of Christ and through the witness of the
apostles.
So, how do we watch? We watch first of all through turning
from a lifestyle of sin and of living for selfish pleasure, by being
transformed in heart and mind by the power and working of the Holy Spirit of
God within us, and by turning to walk in faithful obedience to our Lord Jesus
Christ and our Father God.
Then, we watch through time spent each day in God’s holy
word, in prayer, and through obedience to his commands. We also watch through
Christian community as we fellowship with other followers of Jesus Christ who
have also made him Lord (boss) of their lives. We also watch through testing
everything we hear of men to see if it aligns itself with the word of God. We
choose to not become followers of men, but followers of God only.
Yet, if we choose to reject the truth of the gospel, and
instead follow whatever wind of doctrine seems to fit our lifestyles or what
suits our fancy because it is more comfortable for us, because it does not
require death to sin and self, then scripture teaches us that we do not have
God, salvation, or the hope of eternal life with God in glory.
So, make sure today that what you believe, and what you are
following after, and what you are embracing as true is the true gospel of Jesus
Christ according to scripture, and is not a false gospel of men, absent of the
cross of Christ in your lives.
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