I’ve been acquainted with some people in the church who were thought to be Christians, who freely associated with us, who in casual discussions asked a theoretical question or two indicative of unsettled theology. In a couple of cases I can remember, I didn’t initially suspect a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but did think the person was precariously close to the cliff. John expresses this concern in verse 8.
Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. (2 John 8)
You’ll find this popping up in social settings where one of the spouses is an unbeliever, yet is comfortable enough around Christians to participate. John warns those who are aiming for a participation trophy, or worse, to use their association with Christians as an opportunity to proselytize them, to “watch yourselves.” John addresses those “who go too far” below, calling a spade a spade.
Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. (2 John 9)
John was dealing with those who claimed the Father without the Son. It always seems to boil down to less than full acceptance of Jesus—full stop. The Greek word for “abides” means “remain,” indicating those who do not wander off the reservation.
This leads me to a pet peeve of mine. There is so much in the Bible that, with the Spirit of God’s help, is absolutely straightforward. But there are always those who love to dwell on the fringes and kindle fires that don’t need to be started. They’ll dwell in theological minefields before they’ll settle down by still waters. I have no time or tolerance for quibbling.
Back to the text, once you know someone’s true colors, association with vocal unbelievers in a church setting can no longer be tolerated. We can’t wait until they “come to their senses.” John addresses this scenario. This may not sit well with some.
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds. (2 John 10–11)
The Greek word for “participates” means to share, in this case, in “evil deeds.” Here are some verses that address the difficult task of keeping the Body of Christ pure by exposing evil and saving those in danger of sinning, or worse, falling short of the Glory of God.
Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; (Ephesians 5:11)
Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin. (1 Timothy 5:22)
22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh. (Jude 22–23)
Addressing heresy in the church is not for the weak and faint-hearted. There are those, by their position or giftedness, who should be able to successfully confront those who overtly disagree with sound doctrine. However, do not discount the Spirit of God in you to do the talking.
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