Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

26 December 2024

Reading From II John and III John

“It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.”

“Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 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.”

–II John 1:4-6, 8-9

     The Apostle John wrote this letter to a sister in Christ.  He speaks of the mark of a true believe.  If we genuinely believe in Jesus and claim to follow Him, we will live a life of obedience to Him.  The most important commandment to follow, the one that summarizes all the rest, is to love God, love others and love ourselves, all in the way that Jesus set as the example for us.  If I love Him, I will obey Him, and to obey Him is to love.  It is a beautiful, sustainable cycle of love and obedience.

     John cautions the elect lady to be on her guard in order to preserve the spiritual progress the Lord has made in her life.  Spiritual growth and sanctification is a partnership between the disciple and God.  He will always be faithful to do His part, but we must do ours.  Our part does not consist of our own efforts, our own deeds done in our own strength.  Our part is to yield to the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and lives.  As we surrender to Him, He flows through us and bears good spiritual fruit. 

     Though we may occasionally wander from the path, the Spirit convicts us of error and shows us how to correct course.  Walking with God does not mean we will get it right every time.  It means that when we get it wrong, we are reminded of what to do.  We are to acknowledge our sin, confess it to Him and repent.  Repentance is to change one’s mind about sin, turn away from going our own way, and turn toward the Lord and His Way.  He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. 

Becoming more like Jesus is something that we all do together as an eternal family with Heavenly Father’s guidance and help.  John alludes to this community endeavor when he encourages our sister, “do not lose what we have worked for.” Iron sharpens iron. We need each other if we are to finish strong. Endurance to the end proves faith to be true.

     It is vital to maintain the simplicity of the Gospel message.  If we are tempted to complicate the Good News, we ought to be reminded that it is simple enough for children to believe and receive.  Spiritual babies begin with the simple truths of God’s Word and their knowledge and understanding grows from those foundational fundamentals.  But as we grow, we must be careful to seek the whole counsel of the Word of God and search for harmony, consistency and balance in our doctrine.  Keep in step with the Holy Spirit.  Do not run ahead, otherwise we will stray into all kinds of heresy, imbalance, and ungodly weirdness. 

“Lord Jesus, You are the Captain of our ship.  I pray that You would bring course correction to our lives when it is needed.  Keep us on the highway of holiness, headed in the right direction.  Forgive us when we stray from Your Way.  Bring forgiveness and restoration to Your people.  Help us to honor You with our lives.  Lead us forward in faith to our bright future in You.  We love You, Lord.  Amen.”

And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

 –Galatians 5:24-25

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

 –Matthew 24:13