Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. 2 John 1:8 (ESV)

It’s a good idea to keep an eye on yourself. Not only did John tell us this, but Paul told Timothy to do the same…

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 4:16 (ESV)

So what does it mean to watch yourself? Presumably, John would want to pay attention to what he has been talking about:

1. Do you love your brothers and sisters? Is there love (and forgiveness!) in your heart? Do you behold your brother in need and close your heart against him? (1 John 3:17) This is one of the great messages that John comes back to again and again, for a very good reason – it is a message he heard from the Lord (John 13:34, 35).
2. Do you know the true Jesus Christ? He came in the flesh and arose bodily (2 John 1:7). His resurrection was not “spiritual”. He was truly dead and truly came back to life. If you do not know the true Christ, you are not one of His.
3. Does the truth abide in you? This truth would include…
   1. confessing (agreeing with God) that you are a sinner (1 John 1:8)
   2. believing in Jesus as the propitiation for your sins (1 John 2:2)

For Monday, November 30th: 3 John