In this short letter, John warns a dear friend about the dangers of deceivers. "Deceiver" & "False Teacher" are loaded words today. Sometimes people are afraid to use them because they're so harsh. Whatever our feelings about the words, they're just as valid today as when John used them.
John writes, "And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. For many deceivers have gone out into the world..." (2Jo 6-7 ESV). John wanted his listeners to listen to and live by God's commandments. Not the deception others had to offer.
He warns, "Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward ... If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works." (2Jo 8-11 ESV). John was afraid that all the hard effort Christians had made would wash away when deceitful teachers showed up. Christians were warned to keep away from them and not even greet the teachers. Giving a deceiving teacher "God speed" would be participating in their effort!
Most people today have a real relaxed attitude about religion & God's rules. To hear someone say, "I'm a Baptist, but I attend a Lutheran church" (or some other church) is a common thing. It seems no one really cares about the truth anymore. It's depressing for me to see. We can't ignore it if preachers and teachers who aren't speaking the truth. We need to say something! Going to church somewhere that teaches something wrong is just not right. It might seem awkward in todays day and age to act this way, but if we give in here, we'll slip up in a bunch of other ways too.
Reading John's letter gives me the encouragement to stick to the truth I've read, re-investigate it to be sure it's right, and teach others to do the same.
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