“Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.” (2John 1:8 KJV)
In our society, we can get much advice from many sources. The old adage that “opinions are a dime a dozen” is very appropriate. Note, however, that “A wise man (person) will hear, and will increase learning; and a man (person) of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels” (Pro. 1:5 KJV). It is the wise counsels that we want to find in this New Year.
Good advice (wise counsel) is sometimes difficult to find. It seems that people are more interested in their opinion than giving good advice. We may be certain that the two are not the same. Therefore, in 2010 we must be cautious about who we ask and what we ask them. In other words, “look to yourselves.”
There is so much deception that wisdom dictates for the disciples of Christ to beware. In today’s passage, John warns against losing what we have gained. If one is deceived, he/she loses that level of spirituality, maturity, or knowledge that had formerly been gained. Deceit diverts truth in a direction not intended, as shown by the deceiver in the Garden of Eden.
When truth has enlightened our lives; when we have experienced the grace of God; when we have been convicted of sin; when we have gained freedom from the vanity of this world; and when we have tasted the knowledge and power of God, then we must guard against deceptions that would lead us away from “those things which we have gained.”
“A full reward” is our goal. Note the words of Christ to the church at Philadelphia: “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Rev. 3:11). So in 2010, remember, the way to attain a full reward is to continue faithful to Christ and the Word of God to the end.
Dear Father, thank you for enabling us to receive a full reward through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Empower us to be faithful in him to the end. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today in your goal of a full reward,