Deceivers

2 John 7-11, KJV

7For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

9Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

10If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

This passage went inline with what I recently studied in John 10 pertaining to the many deceivers. This scripture basically instructs us to stand up for our faith in Christ. If there be any that comes to us preaching any OTHER doctrine, we are not to bid them well. To bid well to them or any encouragement, we are agreeing that what they’re saying is okay. It is not okay to worship other gods, regardless of what the world says. To be a friend to the world is to be an enemy of God—the true and living Holy God.

Additional Reading: 2 John 1-13

The Door

John 10:11-18, KJV

11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
17Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Jesus is the door, the good Shepherd—all who ever came before Him are thieves and robbers; to steal, kill, and destroy, but the true sheep did not obey or listen to these liars. God came so that we many have life more abundantly. He lays down His life for the sheep (no man takes it from Him) and He has the power to take it up again. This commandment He received from the Father.

But he that is a hireling (hired servant who merely serves for wages) sees the wolf coming will leave the sheep, running away because he cares nothing for them. Some pastors only want money, only working for finances … a mere hireling, but a true teacher of the Gospel do it for more than just wages because they understand that the Father will supply all of their needs. And in knowing this, they minister from the pureness of their hearts. Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8).

Jesus cares for us—God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. He is the way, the truth and the life, no man comes unto the Father but by Him (John 14:6). He is the door.

Recommended Reading: John 10:1-21

Sound in the Faith

Titus 1:10-16, KJV

10For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
11Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
12One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
13This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
14Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
15Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

The same still holds true today. Be careful not to become one of them. (Titus 1:16)