Not Robbed

Not Robbed

2 John 1: ⁷ Many deceivers have gone out over the world, people who do not acknowledge that Jesus Christ came as a human being. Such a person is a deceiver and the Enemy of Christ. ⁸ Be on your guard, then, so that you will not lose what we have worked for, but will receive your reward in full.

 

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“Why is he being so nice to me?” was the thought running through my mind. Usually this thug would bully me and this conversation was unexpected. It was cold outside and I had on my snorkel coat. I looked around and saw his goons giggling. Turns out, they were practicing picking my coat pocket.

 

• I was distracted by the conversation.
• I was being robbed because I was distracted.
• I was a prime target because I wasn’t paying attention.

 

John gets right down to business in this very short letter. He wanted to address deception that had become plentiful. People were not acknowledging that JESUS came as a human to be murdered by HIS creation and be raised from the dead. A person who speaks against this is a deceiver.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wants me to be as wise as the serpent like worldly people, but as harmless as a dove.
• Believers will receive a full reward, simply by believing that JESUS died and rose from the dead.
• The reward for my belief is an eternity of peace, no problems and no pain.

 

Being deceived can rob me. I mean, in the past when I have been deceived, it wasted time, money and effort. “I could have done things differently” is usually the regretful thought I have had after realizing I have been deceived. It’s a bad feeling.

 

GOD does not want me to have regrets. HE wants me to choose HIM versus being forced to love HIM. When I choose to believe in HIS love, I experience HIS amazing grace. I am glad I receive HIS reward in full, simply by believing in JESUS.

 

Challenge

• Who does the writer say is a deceiver?
• Have you ever been deceived?
• Will you “be on your guard” by believing that JESUS is GOD and HE became a human to save you and me, and HE was murdered by humans to be raised from the dead to pay for your sins and mine today?

Protection

Protection

John 10: ⁷ Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸ All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. ⁹ I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

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Wanting to be the top in my industry fed my drive. Long hours and missing family events became the norm as I pursued, what I thought was, abundance. “I’m doing this for the family” I rationalized as the pressure from being on top continued to wear on me. It was three A.M. and I was awake, thinking about work.

• My previous pursuits made me worry.
• My previous pursuits made me lose sleep.
• My previous pursuits made me leave friends and family only to feel pressure to deliver.

JESUS continues to reveal who HE is in this passage. HE explains why HE came, but first, HE explains something important. JESUS talked about thieves and robbers who come to steal, kill and destroy. HE was speaking to the church leaders and those who oppress and exploit people.

• JESUS wants to protect me from my desires that may get in the way of my relationship with HIM.
• JESUS wants to protect me from things that rob me of HIS love.
• JESUS wants to protect me from worries, fears and doubts so I can have abundant life.

“I AM the door” is a strong statement that JESUS gave us. HE tells me that “No one can get you away from ME if you believe in ME.” HE says this to give me “abundant life.” A life where I can find peace and rest in HIM. But the worries of life rob me of this abundance and sometimes kills my relationships because of my pursuits.

GOD sees my futile attempts to hold onto my life and whispers “let go.” “Let ME have your life and I will give you abundance you have never known.” When I let go, GOD always comes through with abundance. I love HIS peace.

• Are you full of complaints and discontent over life?
• Do you feel you have little?
• Will you ask GOD to open your eyes to the abundance of life HE has given you?
• Will you change your thinking about what “true” abundance is and allow HIM to use you to bring an “abundant” amount of people to HIM through you today?