By Kevin Harris, pastor of the Illawarra Community Baptist Church in the Wollongong, NSW area.
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
2 John 8
When a siren wails, it alerts all who hear it to give full attention to it. Likewise, these first three words say, ‘Beware! Constantly set a guard! There’s a danger here, so pay attention!’
What’s the danger?
The surrounding verses explain that the danger is in joining false teachers and losing the comfort that truth brings to our hearts. If this occurred, we risk losing a full reward.
What exactly does this verse teach we are in danger of losing?
Imagine you are a commissioned salesperson. You are a diligent worker. You have a serious chance at winning ‘Top Salesperson of the Year’ in your organisation. Just as you look to have that honour locked in, at the eleventh hour you lose the plot. Laziness causes you to come in second place.
Have you lost your position as salesperson? No, but you did lose the full reward you might have had if you’d continued on the course you’d set for the majority of the year.
Likewise, sonship is eternal. While you cannot lose your salvation, you can lose your full reward.
In this apostate hour when error abounds, especially on the Internet, you would expect Christians to sharpen up on their grasp of Biblical truth. Instead the spirit of Christendom these days is to downplay doctrine. Anything controversial is avoided. Truth becomes less important than ‘love.’
Watch out! That’s a sure way to lose your full reward.
Father, thank You that my position as Your child is secure. Thank You too for the siren of this verse that reminds me to be alert. In these last days, iniquity and apostasy abound. The more deceits there are, help me to be more watchful. Keep me from deviating from the truth. Make it possible for me to enjoy a full reward when I enter Your presence. I want Your smile of approval on that day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Kevin Harris is pastor of Illawarra Community Baptist Church located in Dapto, NSW.