Bible Study: December 23, 2007
Hello My Friend/Guest,
It is Sunday December 23, 2007 and today we are studying the books of II John through Jude. Please read, II John 1, III John 2, and Jude. In Today's Reading we are learning about the commandment to love; a warning against deceivers; Diotrephes rebuked; and judgment on false teachers.
The book of II John was written by John to the "elect lady and her children," which means the Church and its members. The Church is always addressed in the feminine gender because she is called the bride of Christ. His purpose for the letter was to caution believers to be faithful to sound doctrine and to warn against false teachers. "The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love." (II John 1:1-3).
The book of III John was written by John, the book is addressed to a man named Gaius. It is written to both him and the church with which he was connected. There is no way to identify who this man was, as the Bible gives no further information on him. The truths of the letter are applicable to all believers. His purpose for writting this letter was to commend Gaius and Demetrius for their Christian testimony and to reprove the unchristian behavior of Diotrephes. "The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth." (III John 1:1-3) "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church." (III John 1:9-10)
The book of Jude was written by Jude, the brother of Jesus, to All Christians, although the specific audience at the time were members of churches in Palestine and/or Asia. His purpose for the letter was to warn against false teachers. "Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ." (Jude 1:1-4) To earnestly contend for the faith implies not only the necessity of believing that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God but that it alone is the final Word on all doctrine (See II Timothy 3:16). Today there is a superficial and deceptive unity being promoted by some who have joined hands with religions that reject Jesus of Nazareth as The Only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jude warns that such deceivers will be judged, and eill suffer the vegeance of living in an eternal fire. "Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core." (1:7-11). Having been enlightened by God's Word to recognize false doctrine, we can add a resounding "Praise the Lord" to Jude's statement.
Other religions deny either the total deity or the total humanity of Jesus. Some assume there is only One God but that He is called by various names. They ignorantly conclude that as long as you are sincere, it doesn't matter what you believe. But Jesus said: "I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me" (John 14:6). And Peter proclaimed: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12).
"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." (Jude 1:21-25).
Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Most Loving Father, thank you for this night and for all it represents. Thank you for the hope you bestow, the peace you bring, the love you pour out, and the joy you give. We praise you most of all for Jesus, your Word made flesh. May he light our way as the holy star lit the way for the wise men. In Jesus' name, I pray......Amen.
