Guarded In The Word

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Guarded In The Word
Date: Thursday December 22, 2011
Chapters: The Books of II John, II John, 7 Jude
All Scripture quoted comes from the King James Version, words in red are quoted by Jesus.

Hello My Friend,

“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.” - Matthew 24:4-8,14,44,46.

To be ready means to be quick; prompt; not hesitating; prepared; furnished with what is necessary. Jesus is coming, and although it seems as though we have a long way to go for His return, one day over is one day closer to His return. All the things we read about that will happen before Jesus returns could be a hundred or a thousand years from now, but it can also happen in the blink of an eye. While we may not know the hour in which Jesus will return we can be ready, prepared, and furnished with the things necessary for His return. In order to be ready we need to be guarded in the Word of God, it's our only escape from deception.

The Books of II John, III John, and Jude are the twenty-fourth, fifth, and sixth books of the New Testament and sixty-third, fourth, and fifth books of the Bible. The Book of II John was written by the Apostle John, about 90AD to the elect lady and her children. The purpose of this letter was to caution believers to be faithful to sound doctrine and to warn them against false teachers. What we are to learn from the letter is that believers must guard themselves against false teachers who cause them to lose their Christlike qualities and who make them partakers of their evil. “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” - II John 10,11.

In this brief letter the Apostle John reminds the elect lady, which is the true Church of Christ and her children, who are His believers, that they are the select few chosen by God Himself to represent the church as it should be. “The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. 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...For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 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.” - II John 1:1-3,7-9.

The Church is always addressed as a female because she is called the bride of Christ. Her children are the men, women, and children who make up the body of the Church. While anyone can get saved, God chooses specific people to represent Him in the Church. Why? Because not all confess that Christ is God in the flesh or that He has risen. Some religions severely distort the Gospel and if we are not careful, if we are not abiding in the true doctrine, we too can fall into the same deception just like Jesus warns. “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” -Matthew 24:24.

The Book of III John was also written by the Apostle John, around 90AD and it was written to a man named Gaius as well his church. The purpose of the letter was to commend him for teaching the truth and to warn him against fellowship with those who teach the wrong doctrine. What we are to learn from the letter is that our lives are examples of what others follow, whether it be good or evil, we as Christians need to set the right example. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” - III John 1:4.

“The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth...I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.” - III John 1:1-3,9-12.

I went to a store yesterday with my nephew, we were outside of it waiting for my mother when a lady noticed my nephew's t-shirt as she was walking out of the store. She commented on his t-shirt and I said to my nephew, “You see, people are always watching us.” It does not matter where we are or who we are with people are always watching us and whether we are Christians or not we set an example for others. If we are Christians then we need to present ourselves as such, if we are doing things that are immoral or malicious than it does not just reflect us, it reflects God. It is important that we as the elect children of God remain moral and set a good example for others to follow. “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” - I Peter 2:11,12.

The Book of Jude was written by Jude around 66AD (the brother of James and another earthly brother of Jesus by Mary and Joseph) and this letter was written to all Christians, although the specific audience at the time were members of churches in Palestine and/or Asia. The purpose of the letter was to warn them against false teachers trying to corrupt them. What we are to learn from the letter is that we must always be on alert for false teachers who divert believers from the truth of God's Word. “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” - Jude 21.

In Jude's letter he expresses the importance of holding on to the truths of God's Word and being careful not to let people get around them who will corrupt their way of thinking. Jude also addresses the issue of bringing false doctrine into the Church. “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ...These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.” -Jude 1:4,16-18.

True Christians must be on constant guard of those who seem godly, but are out to deceive them and get them away from God. You know, even if that happens God will give you the power, guidance, and strength to escape any situation. I will tell you that I was one who was deceived by someone I thought really wanted God in their lives as much as I do. God showed me the truth, separated me from the person, and even gave me the power and strength to say good-bye for good. Sometimes we let our hearts make decisions even though God warns us, but His armor will guard, protect, and strengthen us.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” - Ephesians 6:12,13.
Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, I want to be ready as I battle the spiritual forces of evil that are constantly trying to deceive me. Though I wage war in this present and evil generation I have a body guard in the presence of the Holy Spirit Who gives me power over the enemy of my soul. Today, I stand against the devil’s schemes because I take on the full armor of God; the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. As I prayerfully take on this spiritual armor I am fully equipped with the necessary provisions to overcome discouragement and defeat, I am a conqueror who stands triumphant by Your grace. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Merry Christmas!
Christina

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