“Whosoever 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. If there come any unto you, and bring not
this doctrine, receive him not into your house,
neither bid him God speed:”
2 John 1:9-10. “God speed”. We hear this phrase
from time to time and when it is voiced it is usually
as someone is leaving on a journey, it’s used as a
request for God to provide His providential care upon
that person. In the context of the above verse the
phrase “God speed” when offered at the time of a
person’s departure means you’re telling them you hope
they thrive, flourish, prosper, succeed. According to
the Apostle John this phrase should only be voiced
when addressing someone who is in full agreement with
the doctrine of Christ.
John begins his second
epistle by addressing the elect lady; some scholars
believe he’s speaking to Mary the mother of our Lord,
others believe he’s simply addressing a certain
congregation of the saints. But to whoever the letter
is addressed one thing is certain, he’s addressing
God’s children. John begins his salutation with
“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.” 2 John 1:3. His
salutation includes a short phrase that to most of us
may seem an unnecessary inclusion in his salutation,
the Son of
the Father. He does this because we must always
be reminded of the immaculate conception of Christ,
since the Gnostics absolutely deny that truth. John
was fully aware that many false teachings concerning
Christ were in the world, and that those teachings
could and would corrupt the doctrine of Christ. To
this date the Gnostics have been quite successful
promoting their doctrines of demons.
Then John moves into a
tone which seems as though he is begging the reader to
remember the commandment given by our Lord.
“And now I
beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new
commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the
beginning, that we love one another.” 2 John
1:5. Why is John repeating Jesus’ admonition to
His disciples? Because it is an essential part of
Christian doctrine and needs to be repeated as a
reminder of how we are to treat one another. But
there’s something more here, something deeper that
John will address. John, in Christian love, is
concerned for his readers that they might become
indifferent towards the commandments and void of the
heart of obedience. Being obedient to the commandments
of our Lord is proof that we love Him. Keeping our
Lord’s commandments is a deterrent to allowing false
doctrines to thrive within our congregations.
Without a doubt John
is addressing saints in his second epistle. Without
even knowing it, some saints will actually embrace
false doctrines, especially those who reject Bible
study as a necessity for every Christian. But none of
us saints (born again “in Christ” followers of our
Lord Messiah Jesus) should ever knowingly embrace
false doctrines (doctrines of demons). You might be
wondering how it is possible for someone who is born
again to embrace and legitimize the doctrines of
demons. I’ll explain in a moment. But know this, even
a born again follower of Jesus Christ can embrace
doctrines of demons simply by bidding a purveyor of
such a person God speed (may your doctrines thrive),
and as I will explain in a moment, I believe there are
other ways as well.
First, let me ask this
question. How many Christians today abideth (stand up
for) the doctrine of Christ? With the apostasy growing
at breakneck speeds around this planet the answer is
far less then we might think. Anyone who denies the
deity of Christ is living a lie. Anyone who promotes
this same doctrine is promoting doctrines of demons.
John goes on to
explain the reason for this admonition.
“For he that
biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”
2 John 1:11. In other words, when we offer the
salutation “God speed” to those who are opposed to the
true doctrine of Christ we become partakers
(accomplices) in their false doctrine. There are many
doctrines of demons encroaching on the doctrine of
Christ these days. Many claim to be Christian, thus
they claim kinship with those who are actually born
again. Yet they completely deny Christ’s deity. This
is what John is trying to convince his readership of
as he was fully aware of the Gnostic religion (those
denying the deity of Messiah Jesus, His resurrection,
and His immaculate conception) permeating the land.
Today, as in John’s
day, the Gnostics are in full bloom. Who are they?
They are those who oppose the doctrine of Christ. In
my commentary titled “Apostasy” I wrote about those
who transgress the doctrine of Christ and I made brief
mention of but a few of them. Although there are many
who fall into the category of transgressors, John
references them as Gnostics.
The evil that John saw
approaching was subtly infiltrating even the Ekklesia
(assembly of the called out) and he was warning his
readership against those who were spreading the
doctrines of demons to the extent that they were not
even to invite them into their homes; offer no
hospitality. We, the followers of Jesus Christ, have a
responsibility for maintaining His correct doctrine
and admonishing our fellow saints to be just as
cautious when it comes to the ever increasing
infiltration of the doctrines of demons into our
lives. We must stand up for the doctrine of Christ
while we help others to recognize the false doctrines
that are currently encroaching on and being accepted
by the Ekklesia of the Lord.
Be on your guard
always as the enemy is crafty, he exploits every venue
imaginable, most of the time with cunningness such as
that of a lion sneaking up on its prey. On occasion
these transgressors will come to our homes armed with
their erroneous literature while their pleasantries
are flawless, but they are full of deceptions and
perversions of the true doctrine of Christ. They are
the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormons. These are but
two groups of Gnostics but these are the ones who make
it a practice to visit people’s homes. John says we
are not to even invite them in and especially do not
bid them God speed as they leave the premises.
Lately I’ve been
pondering the current presidential race. I’ve noticed
a very well mannered, pleasant speaking, somewhat
charismatic individual running for that particular
office. He is being promoted as the front runner of
all Republicans running. His name is Mitt Romney. He
makes some great arguments, he stands opposed to Obama
and that fact alone excites me. On the surface there
doesn’t seem to be anything that would preclude most
conservative thinking Christians from casting their
vote for this individual. Certainly he can’t be as bad
as the current occupant of the White House. Well there
is that one thing that kind of hangs over him like a
dark cloud – Mormonism. He’s a Mormon. He’s a lifelong
member of one of the fastest growing cults in the
world, and as such he
abideth not
in the doctrine of Christ, (hence he)
hath not God – his doctrines of faith are of
demons.
I’ve spoken to other
Christians about this man; many are very encouraged by
him and are willing to help him gain the presidency. I
must admit, I too was about to fall for that trap, as
the saying goes “anybody but Obama”. Most Christians
today separate their Christian faith and their walk
with Jesus from the rest of their life’s activities be
it politics, work, freemasonry, or other associations.
But if you really give it some thought it is
impossible to leave your Christianity at home when you
go out to associate with the world as the Holy Spirit
indwells every born again believer all the time.
Many times Christians
are defined by what we reject as much as by what we
accept. Some are so open minded that they are empty
headed. As born again in Christ believers, by casting
a vote for this man are we not also accepting his
doctrines of belief? And what will that say to the
rest of the world when they find out that Christians
voted into the highest office of their land a Mormon?
Would we not be legitimizing his religion as we cast a
vote for him? Satan is already in the White House
under the guise of a man named Obama. Casting a vote
for another man who has also embraced the doctrines of
demons won’t change that fact. The White House belongs
to “We the People”. In that context wouldn’t inviting
a lifelong member of a major cult to take up residence
in our house by offering him hospitality using our
voting power be the same as the promotion of Mormonism
– the doctrines of demons? Would we not be
partakers of
his evil deeds? Certainly food for thought.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:
for what fellowship hath righteousness with
unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with
darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or
what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And
what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for
ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said,
I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be
their God, and they shall be my people.”
2 Corinthians 6:14-16. Many believe these
verses refer to the marriage of a Christian with a
nonbeliever. This is not the case, we as believers in
Christ must not have any fellowship with
unrighteousness – with the spirit of darkness – for
what has Messiah to do with Satan? God has no unity
with Satan. In every aspect of a Christian’s life
there should never be any acceptance of doctrines of
demons.
I’m in no way
advocating for the reelection of the man that
currently occupies the White House. Some of you will
say that by withholding my vote for either of these
individuals, will only shore up an Obama win. I doubt
that. But whether that is the case or not, I will
stand firm on the doctrine of Christ. I spent too much
of my life either ignoring Him or resisting Him, no
more. My thoughts
and actions as a child of God must always be in line
with my Father in Heaven
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that
exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and
bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience
of Christ;” 2 Corinthians 10:5.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
All scripture is “theopneustos” God breathed
Please continue to pray for my health. Your prayers
and gifts are greatly appreciated. If God is leading
you to send a gift of support, send it to Ron Graham –
96 County Road 5480 Salem, MO. 65560. Thank you my
dear brethren, God bless
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