Thoughts

A Woman or a Church?

2 John is addressed to a very special woman and her children. Some commentators believe that this “woman” is actually a specific church, and her “children” are the members of the church. In my opinion, whether it is a specific woman or a specific church is not important. The message that John wrote is applicable to either, or both.

She is loved by John and many other believers. And John asks her to continue in loving. He is aware of her children and the fact that they are living according to God’s laws, which include loving one another.

Jesus Is Fully Human and Fully God

When this book was written there were false teachers going around teaching such falsehoods that Jesus, being God was not actually human. “They refuse to declare that Jesus Christ came in flesh and blood.” That Jesus is fully human is a fundamental truth of the Gospel. We can never abandon that truth. One reason that this is such an important truth is that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. If Jesus was not fully human, there would have been no shedding of blood.

A Warning

In light of the fact that these false teachers were going about teaching this false Jesus, John warns the woman to be careful, and not let them destroy all that they have worked for, and to not even invite them into her home or even greet them, because doing so would be to share in the evil that they are doing.

What Do I Do?

And on this point I would like to say that this is how I deal with Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons who come to my door. I don’t invite them in and I don’t even engage them in a conversation. I take the teaching of 2 John verses 10 and 11 seriously. I simply tell them that I’m not interested and say goodbye. I don’t even say, “Have a nice day.”

“But Steve,” you say, “Don’t you tell them why? Don’t you try to show them the truth?” And my answer to you is, “No.” You see, these folks are generally very well trained and prepared, whereas I’m just doing my normal Saturday activities. I’m not in the mind set to debate, and the truth is, these folks aren’t interested in having an honest conversation. They have a set agenda, and a ten minute talk on my front porch is not going to change that agenda.

What Else I Do

Am I saying that I never share the truth with Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons? Not at all. The difference is that the door knockers are actively spreading their deceptions. They are evangelists. But there are Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons who are, shall we say, civilians who just believe what their religion teaches. They aren’t teaching it.

Remember, in almost every case, you have to have a relationship with someone before you can really have a meaningful discussion about faith. And I have had these conversations with friends who were Jehovah’s Witness or Mormon. It’s not that I am against engaging them in conversation, but when they come to my front door, I take 2 John very seriously.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 1 GWT

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