Post Cards

642.  "Post Cards"               November 2, 2012
2 John Summary
And this is love, that we walk after his commandments.  2 John 6a

LET IT GLOW

Post cards are fun to get, don't you think? Usually, I receive one whenever our kids are on vacation and they let us know they are fine and having fun. A picture of where they are is usually on the front. A postcard is brief and to the point of what a person wants to say. John is sending a postcard to a church as he wrote 2 John. He was brief and to the point. Shall we reveiw what he said to them?

• John was walking in truth and love. (verse 3
• He was sending grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Jesus the Son. (verse 3)
• The church was walking in truth (verse 4)
• John reminds them to love one another. (verse 5)
• He bids them to walk in God's commandments. (verse 6)
• He warns the church about deceivers in the world who don't confess Jesus. (verse 7)
• John tells these believers to abide in the doctrine of Christ. (verse 9)
• Don't allow deceivers, false teachers, into their house, nor bid them God speed. (verse 10)
• John had other things to say to them, but would do so when they were face to face. (verse 12)
• He wants their joy to be made full. (verse 12)
• He sent greetings from other believers in a sister church. (verse 13)

Is God telling me to walk in truth and love balancing them?
Do I know enough truth to recognize error when I hear it?
Do I stand against error?

LET IT GROW

In his study guide, New Testament Post Cards, Charles Swindoll says:

The following fundamentals form a good checklist with which to examine the teachers that knowk on your door or come into your home through the television or radio:

-Inerrancy of Scripture (2Tim.3:16, 2Peter 1:21)

-Virgin birth and deity of Christ (Isa. 7:14,Matt. 1:18-25, John 1:1,14, 8:53-58)

-Sinless nature and life of Christ (Heb. 4:15)

-Substitutionary death of the Savior (Rom. 5:6-8, 2 Cor. 5:21)

-Effectiveness of Christ's blood to cleanse sin (Acts 20:28, Heb. 9:22, 1John 1:7)

-Bodily resurrection of Christ from the grave (1Cor.15:1-11)

-Ascension of Christ and His present ministry to the believer (Eph. 4:7-10, 1Thess. 4:13-18)

-Literal, future return of Christ to the earth (John 14:1-3, 1Thess. 4:13-18)
 

I think I will copy this list and carry it in my Bible. Jesus is our faoundation for our beliefs, the corner stone. (Eph. 2:20)

Here are some questions Swindoll challenges us to ask ourselves:

How would you rate your consistency in telling the truth?
How about your ability to  demonstrate love?
How about your use of discernment and discretion?

LET IT GO

Don't misplace hospitality.

Keep a balance of truth and love; walk in in truth and love.

Maintain discernment and discretion; watch out for wolves.