In reading II John, I must recognize that while verses like II John 9-11 tend to be used more often by brethren than others in the letter, these verses have a context that must be respected. Once I know I have placed what is said in context, it is then that I can make proper applications to myself.

            The context of II John 9-11 is that John told his readers to obey the Lord’s command and love each other (v. 6). He warned of deceivers and antichrists among them and told them to examine themselves and make sure they don’t lose what they had (v. 7-8). These thoughts then lead to the truth, “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: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”

            Notice the unilateral aspect of this statement. In light of the fact that there are deceivers among us and because we all have a responsibility to examine ourselves and be faithful, then “whosoever” transgresses (goes beyond) the doctrine (teaching) of the Lord, does not have God. In contrast, anyone who obeys will have the Father and the Son. If anyone does not (whosoever) bring the doctrine that John has been teaching, then don’t receive or bid Godspeed to this person, because if you bid this person Godspeed, then you are a partaker (in fellowship) of this person’s evil deeds.

            “Whosoever” is a word that includes all people. Whoever chooses not to bring the doctrine of Christ does not have fellowship with God. It doesn’t matter who you are, what your name is, how much money you have, or where you live. It doesn’t matter about your past and how many people you have won to the Lord! If you now choose to deceive people and teach false doctrine, you will not be in fellowship with God (II Jn. 9). Furthermore, those who choose to accept a false teacher for any reason, and will not stand against his teaching, are also wrong and a “partaker of his evil deeds” (II Jn. 11). This teaching is parallel to the inspired teaching written by Ezekiel (Ezek. 18:20-32).

            I emphasize the word “whosoever” because men tend to “favor” family members, friends, and others who have some relation to us. Some will justify family members or friends in their false doctrine while lambasting someone they do not know as well. Sadly, it is evident that though those in the church of Christ do not teach “once-saved-always-saved” or the impossibility of apostasy doctrine, several tend to practice it! Remember, whoever is not teaching what God has said does not have God’s fellowship, and those who justify the error taught are just as guilty!

            “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward” (II Jn. 8), still applies! Take the time to examine yourself and make sure you are in the right relationship with God! This includes opposing the deceivers as well as supporting those who are teaching the truth! This is a tall order and demands daily discipline, but we can do it!

- Jarrod M. Jacobs

                   After warning people about the deceivers and antichrists that were rampant in the first century, John warned that some might lose what they had “wrought” (KJV) or “worked for” (NET, ESV, CEV, ISV, etc.) as Christians. This short verse encapsulates what every Christian needs to do in order to remain faithful and see Heaven one day. II John 8 says, “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.”

                   “Look to yourselves” in this verse means examine yourselves (II Cor. 13:5). Don’t assume that everything in your life is “fine.” Don’t think there is nothing in your life you need to change or correct. In this context, John tells Christians to look to themselves and make sure they are not deceived (II Jn. 7). In like manner, you need to look into the “perfect law of liberty” (Jas. 1:25) like you would look into a mirror, and make the necessary changes. “Look to yourselves,” and make sure men do not deceive you. “Look to yourselves” and make sure you are growing closer to God daily (Jas. 4:8). “Look to yourselves” and make sure you tell others about the truth of Christ (II Tim. 2:2). “Look to yourselves” and make sure your thoughts, words, and deeds agree with what God says (Phil. 4:8-9). No one can do this for you. It is a responsibility each Christian must accept.

                   Why take the time to examine ourselves? It is so we won’t lose what we have worked for, or “wrought.” In other words, it is possible to lose what we once had! The mental gymnastics some teach when they say, “If you lost it, you never had it, if you have you can’t lose it, if you lose it, it wasn’t yours” has no basis in Scripture at all. It contradicts II John 8, and many other passages.

                   Let us examine ourselves and make sure we do not lose what we have worked for that we might receive that “full reward.” The “full reward” is a home in Heaven! John (the elder, v. 1) wanted his children to remember God’s promise and remain faithful. The apostle Paul had the same concern (II Cor. 11:3).

Satan works overtime to tempt Christians to return to his kingdom. He wants us to be deceived, be frustrated, and be overwhelmed with the affairs in this life so that we quit the Lord. When we yield to those temptations, our sin results in death (Jas. 1:15) and losing the reward we have. Please make sure and beware of Satan’s devices (II Cor. 2:11). His goals are the opposite of God’s!

                   Friend, read II John 8 once more. Decide that you will do God’s word and be faithful to His teaching (I Cor. 15:58). You will never regret making the decision to avoid deceit and follow God’s truth!

- Jarrod M. Jacobs

II Peter 1:4 completes the thought from verse 3. Since God has “given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness,” Christians are also recipients of God’s precious promises and made “partakers of the divine nature” since we have escaped the corruption of the world. What does this mean to Christians? While it is a “mouthful” to read, the truth behind it is simple.

Peter is merely reminding Christians that we are the recipients of God’s “exceeding great and precious promises.” This is an overwhelming thought when we think of all of the promises God has made to His children. The beautiful thing is that God has not forgotten us, and we have access to His many promises as a result of being in Christ.

“By these” promises, we are also made “partakers of the divine nature” (II Pet. 1:4). What does this phrase mean? A way that helped me understand was to think about other times when the word “partaker” is used in Scripture. Often, the Bible speaks about a man “partaking” in sin with someone else (I Cor. 10:20-21; Eph. 5:6-7, 11; II Jn. 11). In other words, the Bible is saying do not have fellowship with those in sin. In II Peter, though, we find just the opposite. Since this is God’s blessings, and bestowed promises under consideration, this text encourages us to be a partaker, share, or have fellowship with God!

Just think -- that which was lost at Eden has been restored in Christ! Though our sins are many, they can be forgiven (Acts 2:38)! Though we have been separated from God because of sin (Isa. 59:1-2), we have the opportunity to enjoy fellowship (be partakers) with God once more in Christ! Since we have escaped “the corruption that is in the world through lust,” we have access to blessings we might not have considered before. We have these because we “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine” delivered through the apostles, and now are “made free from sin” (Rom. 6:17-18). Now is the time to enjoy the fellowship we have with God!

If you read this and realize that you are not a Christian, then why not become one today? Believe that Jesus is the Son of God (Jn. 8:24; Heb. 11:6), repent of your sins (Lk. 13:3; Acts 17:30), confess your faith in Christ (Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:10) and be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38, 22:16). When you do this, you can have access to God’s blessings, His promises, and be in fellowship or a partaker of the divine nature. What’s stopping you from doing what the Lord says? Obey today (II Cor. 6:2; Heb. 5:9)!

- Jarrod M. Jacobs

            The apostle Peter’s second epistle was addressed to those “who have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (v. 1). II Peter is one of the epistles commonly called “general epistles” by men seeing as there was no specific person addressed. Yet, when I read this, I read of a particular group of people addressed. Peter addresses those who have “like precious faith”! In that sense, he has specified one group of people as his target and excluded the majority of the world. Not everyone enjoys a “like precious faith” with Peter. Do you, dear one?

            The two English words, “like precious,” are derived from the single Greek word “isotimos,” meaning equally honored. The term “faith” or “Pistis” in the Greek has to do with persuasion and conviction. Peter thus says that his writing is to those who share an equally honored conviction or persuasion through Christ. Do you share this with Peter? If not, you can change that today.

            If you would believe that Jesus is the Son of God (Jn. 8:24), and repent of your sins (Lk. 13:3), you can then confess your faith in Christ (Rom. 10:10), and be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). The same writer of II Peter preached the first gospel sermon in Acts 2, and made it clear that when we repent and are baptized, we will be forgiven of sins and receive the “gift of the Holy Spirit.” This gift connects us in fellowship with other Christians, including Peter, who possess a “like precious faith” to our own! How amazing it is to think that we who accept the Lord’s plan of salvation are children of God as Peter was, and have access to the same blessings (Rom. 8:16-17)!

            What are you doing to maintain that “like precious faith” (II Pet. 3:18)? Let’s make it a priority to tell others about this faith and bring others with us to Heaven.

- Jarrod M. Jacobs

“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.” John’s warning still rings true today. Fellowship with God and Christ comes as a result of “abiding” (living) within the confines of God’s word. God’s word stands, not as a barrier holding us back, but as a hedge of protection that keeps us safe from sin and evil. If we trespass (transgress) the boundaries and leave the Lord, we have not simply hurt ourselves, but have affected Heaven itself! This is because where we are going, God will not go with us (Isa. 59:1-2; I Jn. 1:5). Decide that the rest of our lives will be devoted to abiding in Christ’s doctrine. In so doing, we will have fellowship with God right now, and can look forward to an eternity with Him when this life is over!

- Jarrod Jacobs