Watch yourselves

Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.

2 John 1:8 ESV

In this verse John warns his readers to watch themselves. Watch themselves in what way? Watch yourselves that you don't lose what you have in Christ. Don't lose your salvation, don't lose your reward in heaven.

When we begin our walk in Jesus, it is just that the beginning. Our walk in Christ is a lifetime endeavor. John isn't just writing to new Christians he is writing to all Christians, even those that have been in the faith for a long time. All of us no matter how long we have been in Christ must watch ourselves. We must watch our hearts and what we allow to enter them.

No one really falls away from Christ and His body overnight. Falling away comes from listening to lies, the lies of the world, the lies of false teachers. Over time when lies are heard enough or told enough they become believable. That is when the process of walking away from all that we worked for begins. Just like walking in Christ has a beginning, so does walking away from Christ.

Influences in our lives are what shape us as individuals. We need to watch what influences us. If we allow Jesus and His teachings to influence us we will walk in His ways. Conversely, if we allow the world and its teaching to influence us we will walk in its ways. There is no middle ground.

So today, let's watch ourselves so that we are aware of how we are being influenced. Take the time today think of what your influences are, are they the influences that will lead to your full reward or are they something that will bring you up short of that goal?

© 2013 Leo J. Woodman

Keep yourselves from idols

Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

1 John 5:21 ESV

Most of us would never think of ourselves as idol worshipers, but if we are honest with ourselves we have to admit there are times when we allow things, events and others to reign in our hearts. We displace God with these other means of distraction.

We tend to think of idols as some sort of image or statue that one bows down to in worship. Really an idols is that which takes away our attention, affections and time for God. It is whatever takes center stage in our lives.

There are many things that become idol's to us, money, work, sports and people. This list of potential idols goes on and on. What it comes down to is whatever takes our eyes off of God and living for Him is an idol.

John uses the term “little children” as he addresses his readers about idols. Think of the love in his statement, like a father to a child. John writes to the church out of love, love for truth and the love of God's children. John knew that if God's children were to allow anything to take God's place in their hearts they would be on a slippery slope to spiritual ruin.

So today, as we consider this verse let's consider whether or not we may be pursuing an idol in our lives rather than God Himself. If we are pursuing idols let's keep ourselves from them and give ourselves to God and His ways.

© 2013 Leo J. Woodman