Wednesday, November 28: 2 John 8-9
8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. 9 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.
One of the responsibilities associated with being a citizen in our community is that of serving as a juror. At some point in your life, you are likely to be summoned, and you may even have the opportunity to sit on a jury and judge whether or not a person has committed a crime. One of the things that you will certainly need in that scenario is evidence—the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid. Upon hearing and seeing all the different kinds of evidence in the case, you and your fellow jurors will make a decision regarding the truth.
With regard to today’s Scripture reading, ponder this question: what evidence do you have that you are a Christian? 2 John’s answer to that question, in part, is this: that you continue on in the teachings of Jesus. For John, perseverance is the proof of possession. To stay with Christ gives the clearest evidence that one belongs to Christ. To cling to Him and Him alone is the surest and only path to receiving all that God has provided.
Entailed in the warning is also a word of encouragement. If you remain alert and on guard, you will stay with Christ and receive a full reward. Standing with him proves that you truly belong to him. To turn aside and give an ear to false teaching can only result in loss. To walk away and not continue with Christ proves you never received Him in the first place.
- What evidence does your life give that you are clinging to Christ as the source of your hope and joy?
- What do you need to take on or put off, that you might remain watchful as you persevere in following Christ?
- Pray that your life would bear fruit as you cling to Christ. Pray for practical measures you should take, that you might remain alert and on guard as you walk with Jesus.