December 19

2 John

False teachers do not confess Jesus Christ as God incarnate.

INSIGHT

The Bible teaches that Christians are to be tolerant, understanding, and compassionate. We are to go out of our way to be kind and loving to others; we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. However, how should we act toward false teachers who subvert our faith? The Bible teaches that while we should not be unkind, we should have no fellowship with them. John writes: “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine (salvation in Christ), do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (vv. 10-11).

PRAYER

Offer the Lord your praise that in His power and glory He still loves us:
Praise the Lord!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful….
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding is infinite….
The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him,
In those who hope in His mercy….
Praise the Lord! (Psalm 147:1, 5, 11, 20).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving and seek to keep your life free from sin:
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit(Psalm 32:1-2).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness.
(Romans 3:23-25)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Gaining an eternal perspective
• Your spiritual goals
• Whatever else is on your heart

Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
May the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Romans 15:5-6)