The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 John 1:7-11, “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
8 Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.
9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting;
11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.”

Have you ever encountered a deceiver? You probably have. It may have been a door-to-door salesman, or someone standing just outside a store you frequent. It might even be a “pastor,” who pretends to have all the answers –except that he always has a “price” for what he shares wiith you. Well, John says, “Watch yourselves…!” That one is a deceiver!

John also says that the one who “does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God…” Other writers of Scripture warn of deceivers, too; but John goes further. He says not to allow them into your house, and not to give them greetings. Isn’t that rude? Not in this instance. Read on – “…for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.”

There is a practical side of refusing entry into one’s house. A person weak in the faith can easily be led away from his faith in Christ. I have a book entitled, Churches that Abuse. The author exposes several churches whose pastors’ primary purpose is far afield from the purpose of Jesus Christ. Those who attach themselves to one of those churches, loses faith in Christ altogether.

Key Help: Find a Biblical Church! Attend Sunday services for several weeks. Listen carefully to the pastor’s preaching. Does his preaching come from the Bible? Does it uplift Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation? Is the church worshipping Jesus as LORD and Savior? If those elements are in place, schedule a consultation with the pastor. Share your spiritual needs and questions with him. Everyone needs salvation in Christ! Everyone needs Christian friends. The right church will provide the right friends. And you will be on the right track! God bless you!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Thank you for praying for Erin! Everythign went well.

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom