John's Epistles

Narrator: Chris Genthree
 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 7
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The house of the elect lady (2 John) was the sanctuary of the truth, and had to keep outside all that was not of it: all those that did not bring the doctrine of Christ with them. The house of Gaius (3 John), on the contrary, was the guest chamber of the truth, and had to open itself to the witnesses of it. She was to be the guardian of this mystery—he, the fellow-helper of it.
The atmosphere within God's house should be so full of the fragrance of the name of Christ that all who are of a contrary part should be forced out (1 John 2:1919They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. (1 John 2:19)). The door at the entrance should be so closed that the same should know that they would be kept out (2 John 1010If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: (2 John 10)), but the welcome should be so clear and fervent that all who savor and witness of that name should feel themselves at home in it. (3 John 88We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth. (3 John 8).)
Shall we not all join in such services as these? Surely all this is Kohathite service—this is business with the ark itself. Oxen and wagons could not aid in it. (See Num. 7.) The material of the service is too delicate for such help. The shoulders of the Levites must do the service, and even their hands must reverently, and only reverently, handle the sacred deposit committed to them.
Note: "The doctrine of Christ" is the confession of the truth as to His blessed Person—the Christ of God as revealed in Scripture. "This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols." 1 John 5:20, 2120And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. 21Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. (1 John 5:20‑21).