THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST Devotion 11 of 12 The Spirit is not vague in His assertion. Those who attempt to grow independently of Divine influence do NOT have God! It is not possible to be in a more serious condition. To be "without God" equates with being lost, dead, and alienated. As it is written, "That at that time ye were WITHOUT CHRIST, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and WITHOUT GOD in the world" (Eph 2:12, NASB). To be "without God in the world" is to be "without hope." It is to be without a covenant of promise -- "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph 2:1). Further, the absence of a living association with Christ equates to a state of condemnation. Again it is written, "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His" (Rom 8:19). Again it is written, "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema (accursed). Maranatha (O Lord, come)" (1 C or 16:22). – Tomorrow:
"Watch yourselves, that you might not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. 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 8-9, NASB)
Those in this grievous situation have not remained under the tutelage of Christ Jesus. They have sought instruction elsewhere, and have thus separated themselves from God, hope, and salvation itself. Make no mistake about this, it is not possible to be saved "without God." Neither, indeed, is it possible to be saved "without Christ." If it is true that God Himself has called us into "the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Cor 1:9), then a transgression of the greatest magnitude has been committed when that fellowship is abandoned. No person desiring to keep this fellowship will be deprived of it! It may be said of them, just as surely as Jesus said of Mary, who chose good, "Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:42).
Under the first covenant, Israel was warned not to seek wisdom and direction from sources other than the Lord Himself. Their failure to give heed to this warning resulted in a great deal of grief. As it is written, "Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, BUT NOT OF ME; and that cover with a covering, BUT NOT OF MY SPIRIT, that they may add sin to sin: That walk to go down into Egypt, and HAVE NOT ASKED AT MY MOUTH; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!" (Isa 30:1-2). Again the Lord testified against them. "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but DO NOT LOOK TO THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL, or seek help from the LORD" (Isa 31:1, NIV). Surely you know this is a precise description of multitudes in the churches of our land.
One without spiritual perspective might argue the wisdom of such pursuits. However, after their arguments have been presented, a Divine curse is uttered against all such efforts. The words are clear, and they are pointed. "Woe to those . . . "
There is a blight upon the modern church that is most grievous. Unspeakable numbers of people wearing the name of Jesus are not abiding in Him. They are not remaining under His gracious teaching. The seek understanding, wisdom, and knowledge elsewhere. They attempt to find satisfaction and happiness in other things and places, drinking water from wells that cannot assuage their thirst. This is not innocent, and unless there is a recovery from the condition, there is no hope of being saved.
ABIDE IN THE VINE
The words of our text are not strange. They agree perfectly with the words of our Lord Himself. Before ascending back to heaven, Jesus spoke with His disciples about spiritual fruitfulness. His instruction is both pointed and arresting. He makes no allowance for living or working independently of Himself. Either they abide in Him, or the Father will cut them off, relegating them to a hopeless condition. No believer remaining in this world will ever outgrow his need to hear these words! Sit at His feet, and hear them once again.
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, HE TAKES AWAY; and every branch that bears fruit, HE PRUNES IT, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, UNLESS YOU ABIDE IN ME I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples" (John 15:1-8, NASB).
From the perspective of our text (2 John 8-9), this is abiding "in the doctrine of Christ." These words were spoken to His apostles, but they were not confined to them. What person would dare to affirm that the Apostles had to abide in the Vine, but we do not? Who would have the audacity to declare that the Apostles could not bear fruit independently of Jesus, but we can? Or that God demanded fruitfulness from them, but not from us? It is on the part of wisdom to take these words into our hearts.
God puts us into Christ (1 Cor 1:30). It is our business to remain, or abide," there. We begin newness of life "in Christ" (2 Cor 5:17). It is essential that we "continue in the Son, and in the Father" (1 John 2:24). There are no spiritual resources that are not in Christ Jesus. Every benefit needed to safely negotiate the way from earth to glory is administered by Christ, the "Great Shepherd of the sheep" (Heb 13:20). Abide in Him! Stay under His teaching! Do not stray from His direction! Your safe arrival in glory depends on it.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I want to abide in Christ. I do not want to be a castaway. Yet, I sense I cannot remain in Him without Divine help. In the name of Your Son, I ask for the grace to remain in Christ Jesus, where You have graciously placed me.