Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 104th. Edition.
Dear Holy Priesthood,
Clearly, this brief letter was occasioned by the infiltration of the Christian community by false teachers. In today’s passage (2 John 10-11), John wants Christians to be prepared and to know how to respond to the false teachers.
Restriction (v. 10). John says anyone who comes visiting and does not “bring this doctrine” – meaning the teaching of verse 7, that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh (that he is truly human), that such a person should not be welcomed into a Christian home. He should not even be greeted! This total detachment and dissociation from false teachers may seem harsh, even “unchristian,” but there is a
Reason (v. 11) for it. Being civil with the person and welcoming him amounts to sharing “in his evil deeds.” The first way that this happens is through;
Impressions. If a person is seen with us, it is generally assumed that we approve of the person. This will give tacit approval to the person’s lies and mislead many. The second is through;
Influence. As I have stated elsewhere before, the path to sin begins with exposure, exposure leads to tolerance, which leads to acceptance, then approval, and finally, participation. Consorting with or entertaining false teachers will ultimately lead to our participation in their false religion. Again, as I have said before if you do not want to participate in something, do not expose yourself.
Your loving Pastor Chris.