Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. (2 John 7)
One day I received the surprising news that my corporate credit card had been compromised. Someone had charged over $10,000 to a restaurant in Seville, Spain. Can you imagine the meal that must have been?! I reassured my employer that I had not been in Spain, nor had I been treating people to an expensive meal on the company’s dime.
Thankfully, my leaders knew me well enough to know it was not like me to do something so irresponsible. They assumed a mistake had been made. The bank’s fraud department had a process in place to cover the theft with no expense to the organization. I was told I would be surprised to know how often this kind of deception happens.
Deceivers were compromising the understanding that John’s audience had of Christ’s identity as both fully God and fully human. John warned against this popular teaching of the day as a dangerous corruption of the holy love that Jesus modeled and commanded others to follow in obedience to him. Christ does not ask us to walk in love that is not humanly possible. Rather, because Christ was God in the flesh, he has restored what it means to be fully human!
What a difference it makes when we know Jesus Christ for who he really is! Knowing him well helps us reject lies about him and trust both his character and authority in our lives.
Reflect on the impact of Christ’s full identity on your life.
Nikki Nettleton is the director of learning and leadership for Global Partners. She draws from fifteen years of experience in Eastern Europe.
© 2021 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
