2 John 9-11

2 John 9-11

All the ones who go out of bounds in failing to obey and who does not remain in the teaching of Christ does not have God.  The one who remains in the teaching: this one has both the Father and the Son.  If someone comes to you all and he does not bring this teaching do not receive him into the household and do not say a greeting to him.  For the one who says a greeting to him partners in his evil works.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The first verse of this section is a very deep verse.  Many translations render the Greek verb proago (προάγω) as “to go ahead.”  There is nothing wrong this translation except that to leave it as such gives the verse a hint of condemning progressive thinking.  Such translations lead people to think that if we are looking for new and deeper understandings in Christ and not “abiding” in the old teachings then we are to be condemned.  This is not exactly what this verb means.  Proago has a sense of leaving behind that which is currently being done.  So there is nothing wrong with progressive thinking so long as it doesn’t leave the core of Christianity behind.  This is the key.  We should always be thinking of advancing our understanding in Christ.  But we must do it in a fashion that continues to come back and test it with the core and heart of Christianity.  As we grow, advance, and develop we need to remain true to the self-sacrificing example of Jesus Christ.  As we grow and develop we must remain humble to God and always come back to Him to allow Him to shape our faith.

Note that when I use the word “progressive” I am not meaning it in a political manner, nor am I intending it to be a word that describes the agenda of the “left” or “right.”  When I say progressive thinking I am speaking about thinking that tries to cause progress – or growth – in a person of group of people.

Why is progressive teaching attractive?  Why can progressive thinking be dangerous?  Why can it be equally dangerous to have no progressive thinking at all?

Second Thought:

This is why John says that if someone comes and does not believe the basics then we shouldn’t give them the ability to teach among us.  If someone comes and does not believe that Jesus came in the flesh, we shouldn’t allow them to teach.  If someone comes and doesn’t believe that Jesus was actually God, then they should not be allowed to teach.  If someone comes and does not believe that the Holy Spirit is given to all those who believe in Him then we should allow that person to teach.  If some doesn’t believe that Christ died for our sins and was resurrected in order to give us the hope of our own resurrection then we shouldn’t allow them to teach among us.  No matter how neat or progressive a person’s thinking is, they need to have the basics correct, too.

Do you think people in Western Christianity assume we all believe the same basic truths?  How often have you experienced someone checking to see whether a teacher believes the basics?  Why is it important to check out the basics?

Third Thought:

We also need to be careful here with taking John’s admonition too far.  John is not giving us permission to only interact with Christian believers.  Far be that from the truth!  If all we did was interact with Christians, how would we ever tell others about Jesus Christ?  No, When John says that we should not even greet someone he is talking specifically about people who are trying to teach among believers but who do not teach the basics as true.  We are to show hospitality to the world and through such an expression demonstrate God’s love to them.  But we are not to entertain would-be teachers of the faith who teach upon a different foundation.

Why is it important to remember the context about which John is writing?  Do you think it would be easy to take verses 10-11 as verses that allows you to only interact and relate with other Christians?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 John 12-13