And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 2 John 1:6 ESV

     John continues in this second letter addressing false teachings concerning the truth of Jesus coming in the flesh. This false teaching would deny truth as taught in the Gospel of John affirming the coming of God in the flesh via His Son Jesus. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 ESV  Then just a few verses later John teaches, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 ESV  God, in his love for us, sent his only Son into the world to be the perfect Lamb of God. A lamb in the flesh that died and was placed in a grave and then rose again to conquer the curse of sin…. death. The reason Satan so desires to perpetuate this false teaching would be to nullify the truth of Salvation. Understand, for God to be flesh meant, blood flowed through his veins, and that blood was shed on a cross for the forgiveness of our sin. Indeed, under the law almost everything purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 9:22 ESV  It is imperative as Christians that you believe God did just as he said – that he came in the flesh. That he lived, died, and rose again is the whole gospel of good news to the one that recognizes that he is a sinner in need of God’s  forgiveness. So, as Christians, how do we battle this false teaching, as well as, other deceptions Satan introduces?

We Walk In Truth:
     With no apology the Christian walks in the truth of God’s word. I rejoice greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were  commanded by the Father. John 1: 4 ESV  The only way a person can walk in the truth is for the truth to abide within them. (1 John 1: 2) When as a  Christian you walk in truth, you desire to walk in harmony with the teaching of God’s word- the Bible. You walk in such a way that it gives evidence of the Spirit of God living in you only made possible by God. This truth has set you free from the power of sin and death. (Romans 8: 1-11)

We Walk In Obedience:
     We walk according to his commandments 2 John 1:6 ESV  Yes, we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), but grace will walk in harmony with God’s commands. Salvation is not a ticket to heaven but in salvation we are to live in a way that reveals the truth that lives within us. Salvation is God saving us by grace and mercy, and our walk is showing evidence of that reality. Jesus said this in John 14: 15 ESV, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Which takes us to the next point……

We Walk In Love:
     Love is not an emotion although often times we feel emotion with love. Love is a command given to us by Jesus. Love acts on truth even though that may not alway feel warm and fuzzy with emotion. Love is doing what must be done in order to reflect God. The cross was a gruesome way to die, yet love put Jesus on the cross to show the hideousness of our sins, and the measure by which God was willing to take to redeem us back to Himself. He commands us to love as he loved us. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12 ESV … Theses things I command you, so that you will love one another. John 15:17 ESV  (It would be of value to read John 15: 1-17 to receive the full context of Jesus’s command.) We can truly love if we abide in Christ, and abide means to live there.

     Christians will discern false teachings when walking in true love for their Savior. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life in which we are to live. (John 14:6) Satan’s lies are alway nullified when as a servant you live truth out loud in speech and action. So as Christians, let us nullify the false teachings of Satan by walking in truth, obedience, and love showing that we believe that God really did come in the flesh to redeem the world from sin.

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David