Rēad to Read …Again
Daily Reading: II John, III John, Jude
II John 1:10
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
“When the Bible makes perfect sense, seek no other sense.” This is good advice from preachers of every generation. It is a method to be utilized in connection with this book. Whether the apostle John was writing to one lady or a church really doesn’t matter much, but the fact that he addressed to an “elect lady” makes perfect sense. He wrote it to one lady. True the content of the letter is good advice for any church in any age, but consider this book as one to a lady who was known for good works toward the people of God.
John warned her. He warns this lady of being so receptive and kind that she commits a grave error. His warning is found in verse 10. While receiving people in that day into a house for meals, relaxation, and even to abide for a time, John warns to limit this grace to those only who espouse, live, and teach the truth of Christ’s clear doctrines. He goes as far as telling her to not even bid a person who brings strange doctrines to her “God speed,” for if she does, she will become a partaker of that person’s evil deeds. John equates false doctrine to evil. Meaning it is something to stay away from at all costs.
Then, on the other hand, in the next letter of the beloved John, he writes to a man. Wherein in II John he warns a woman to not accept someone, in III John he writes to a man to encourage him to receive someone. Notice the key verse of III John, verse 8, We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
Evidently in the church where Gaius was a member there was a leader, so called, by the name of Diotrephes. This man withstood not only the disciple John, but also a man recommended to the church (Demetrius). This man Diotrephes not only “prated” against John and Demetrius, but he also used malicious words against them, did not receive them or any of the “brethren,” he forbade them, and even cast them out bodily (verse 10). All because he (Diotrephes) loved to have the preeminence (verse 9).
John warned Gaius to not be like Diotrephes, but, rather, to be willing and ready to receive good men.
These two short letters show two sides of one coin of warning. One side is a warning to ladies about receiving those who would subvert their stedfast belief in the truth. The other side is a warning to a good man to make sure to receive good men. At the risk of oversimplifying and vastly generalizing the issue, these are natural warnings. Ladies should be cautious of receiving false teachers. After all, most refined ladies would not want to offend or leave out anyone. Their sentiment is to receive and assist all. Also, in general, men need to be careful to receive good men, in that sometimes it is far too easy for men to reject others just because… well, just because.
Now, here is the kicker, the crux of the matter, the overall reason for these letters. In these two short books the word “truth” is the key word. It is utilized eleven times in twenty-seven verses. Truth is the overall antidote to falsehoods. Truth is the grandest weapon for the believer. Truth is the remedy to every question of Christian doctrine and the guide to every believer’s personal conduct. Truth, truth, truth. Meaning the truth of God’s Word. The doctrine of Christ is truth, on one hand we should not receive those who deny such truth, on the other hand we should receive those, whoever they may be, that preach, promote, and propagate the truth. Think about it like this, truth is the key that both locks and unlocks the doors of protection for one’s Biblical belief system. Therefore, learn to use truth.
Many years ago, Pilate said to Jesus, …What is truth?... this is found in John 18:38. One chapter earlier, Jesus had already answered that question when He proclaimed in a prayer to God the Father: …thy word is truth. John 17:17. So, what is truth? God’s Word is truth!
Dr. William T. Howe
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