Beware

"If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds." -2 John v. 10-11

This deception, that Christ did not come in the flesh, that He was some sort of apparition or on the other hand not fully God but completely and utterly human, was already besieging the church in John's day. This heresy still exists in many forms today. What we have largely ignored is the instruction to not receive such people, those who ignore the deity of Christ and the truth of the triune God - nor greet them! We reason to ourselves that we might persuade them. In doing so we discover the fact that such people having once been presented with the true gospel have willfully taken it in their hands to distort the truth of God - ignoring both the Holy Scriptures and the Spirit who testifies of these things. May we be obedient to God's word and have no part in these lies.  Certainly there is a time and place for persuasion, for calling people to be reconciled to God - to give a defense for our faith. As Peter writes, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear."* This is not that. John's instruction is to beware of people peddling an alternative gospel, a mutant version of the gospel that has become mired in confusion - one that does not bring the peace of God. May our Lord grant us discernment and wisdom. 

​*1 Peter 3:15