HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 1514
2 JOHN
page 1144
Greetings
This letter is from John, the elder.*
I am writing to the chosen lady and to her
children,* whom I love in the truth—as does
everyone else who knows the truth—2 because
the truth lives in us and will be with us forever.
3 Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from
God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son
of the Father—will continue to be with us who
live in truth and love.
that we should love one another. This is not a
new commandment, but one we have had from
the beginning. 6 Love means doing what God
has commanded us, and he has commanded us
to love one another, just as you heard from the
beginning.
Live in the Truth
4 How happy I was to meet some of your children
and find them living according to the truth, just
as the Father commanded.
5 I am writing to remind you, dear friends,*
Grace, mercy, and peace,
which come from God the
Father and from Jesus
Christ . . . will continue
to be with us who live
in truth and love.
• Compromise
2 JO H N 1 :9 -1 1
— promises —
from God
2 JO H N 1:3
John’s words may seem rude to us: “Don’t
invite that person into your home or give
any kind of encouragement.” John is not
condemning hospitality to unbelievers;
rather, he is warning us how careful we
must be to evaluate the teachings of
others in relation to God’s Word. Some
people are simply mistaken in what they
teach; others intentionally teach things
that are in direct contradiction to the Bible.
Usually these people teach some things
that are true but choose to ignore other
parts of Scripture. Or they add their own
teachings to what the Bible says.
Too often we are willing to allow these
false teachings because they seem so
logical. And besides, we reason, the rest
of this person’s teachings do agree with
the Bible. This is exactly where compromise begins. As soon as we allow a
few wrong teachings, the door is open for
more. Then our sensitivity to sin becomes
dulled until we can no longer tell what is
true and what isn’t. We must not tolerate
wrong teaching in the church. Are you
willing to study the Bible carefully and
have the courage to speak up when
someone’s teaching doesn’t agree with
God’s Word?
7 I say this because many deceivers have
gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus
Christ came* in a real body. Such a person is
a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Watch out that
you do not lose what we* have worked so hard
to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your
full reward. 9 Anyone who wanders away from
this teaching has no relationship with God. But
anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ
has a relationship with both the Father and
the Son.
10 If anyone comes to your meeting and does
not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite
that person into your home or give any kind
of encouragement. 11 Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their
evil work.
Conclusion
12 I have much more to say to you, but I don’t
want to do it with paper and ink. For I hope to
visit you soon and talk with you face to face.
Then our joy will be complete.
13 Greetings from the children of your sister,*
chosen by God.
1a Greek From the elder. 1b Or the church God has chosen
and its members. 5 Greek I urge you, lady. 7 Or will come.
8 Some manuscripts read you. 13 Or from the members of
your sister church.