I found something very interesting in the Word of God today, which made me sit up and take notice. I have read it before, in fact I have it highlighted in my Bible. But today it truly hit home for me. This is what I read:
2 John 1:9-11 (Amp.) (9)Anyone who runs on ahead [of God] and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ [who is not content with what He taught] does not have God; but he who continues to live in the doctrine (teaching) of Christ [does have God], he has both the Father and the Son. (10)If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine [is disloyal to what Jesus Christ taught], do not receive him [do not accept him, do not welcome or admit him] into [your] house or bid him Godspeed or give him any encouragement. (11)For he who wishes him success [who encourages him, wishing him Godspeed] is a partaker in his evil doings.
I had to examine myself to see if this is something I have done. I am an encourager and I strive to encourage and accept almost everyone that has come into my life. As I began my self examination, I had to admit that I have indeed been guilty of encouraging and accepting those who are disloyal to Christ and what He has taught. I have even welcomed them into my house. It hit me like a ton of bricks that because I have done this, I have been a partaker in the evil doings of such people. After all my thinking was that I must love and accept others.
As I continued in my prayer and study, I was brought back to the beginning of the chapter of (2 John) "loving one another" was right there, and it explained what it meant and what it consisted of. I have misinterpreted what loving others truly means:
According to the (Amp). (5)And now I beg you, lady (Cyria), not as if I were issuing a new charge (injunction or command), but [simply recalling to your mind] the one we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. (6) And what this love consists in is this: that we live and walk in accordance with and guided by His commandments (His orders, ordinances, precepts, teaching). This is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you continue to walk in love [guided by it and following it]. (7)For many imposters (seducers, deceivers, and false leaders) have gone out into the world, men who will not acknowledge (confess, admit) the coming of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) in bodily form. Such a one is the imposter (the seducer, the deceiver, the false leader, the antagonist of Christ) and the antichrist.
My conclusion: Anyone who is disloyal to the teachings of Christ Jesus is not of God. He has not God nor the Son (vs. 9). And love/loving others stands under the banner of "loyalties to Christ Jesus and what He taught" (vs.6). So anyone who teaches anything other than what Christ Jesus taught does not walk in love but is a seducer, deceiver, false leader, he is an imposter and the antagonist of Christ (7). And according to the Word of God if we receive, accept, admit, welcome, encourage and say God bless you to such a one, we have now become partakers in his evil doings (11).
I have realized that while I thought I was doing well in accepting them (because I must show them love) I have misunderstood "true love" and what it really means, thus I have sinned and done wrong. My love for such people was not love at all but tolerance. And because of my tolerance I became a partaker of their evil doings.
Where do I go from here? I have repented of my wrong-doing. I have learned, now I move forward. I was deceived, and because of this I have probably brought some unnecessary heartache and tribulation my way. But in order to learn, it sometimes takes going through some storms before we can see the blue skies and sunshine again. I know without doubt that my God is merciful and gracious, and when we acknowledge our short-comings He's faithful and just to forgive us. Not only does God forgive, but He rejoices over us when we learn and move forward in Him and with Him. In so doing we are receiving His gift of love and grace into our lives. There is no greater pleasure for our Father in Heaven than to give His children His grace and mercy, and in turn have His children receive this from Him.
I would like to leave this question with my readers. The same question I had to ask myself:
Are you walking in love or are you walking in tolerance?
