2, 3 John – December 26

2 John 1:7 says, “For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” There is a “war” over the true identity of Jesus Christ. There are many teachers (and teachings) that try to systematically remove the preeminence of Jesus Christ. It usually doesn't start out with outright denials of Jesus Christ, but with questionings and false understandings like the serpent gave Eve in the garden (See Geneses 3:1-7).

The apostle John says again in the third epistle, “I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink; but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face.” This may not seem like a profound verse, but it gives us an important reminder that there are things that shouldn't be said until we can see each other face to face. There are things that shouldn't be said in letter, email, text, and sometimes even a by a phone call. All of these avenues can be a good ways to communicate at times, but something’s things need to be said while the person can see the expression on our face and while they have an opportunity to respond in the same way. As we have become more connected electronically, in many ways we have become so much less connected.