The title of this article is taken from 2 John 8: “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.” We might expect that John would write rather that “ye” lose not those things which “ye” have wrought, but that “ye” receive a full reward. No doubt the Apostle John was concerned about their reward, and for this reason he warns them faithfully about the spirit of Antichrist and the bad doctrine concerning the person of Christ that was coming in. However, John takes the warning to a higher plane and brings in his reward and the reward of others who had labored with him.
Like the other apostles, John had, no doubt, labored much for the Lord, although we know that he was, for a time, banished to the isle of Patmos. Like Paul and the other apostles, he labored because “the love of Christ constraineth us” (2 Cor. 5:14), for he was one who perhaps enjoyed the Lord’s love more than others. At the last Passover, it is recorded that he was “leaning on Jesus’ breast” (John 13:2525He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? (John 13:25)), and he could also refer to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 21:2020Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? (John 21:20)). So it was the enjoyment of the Lord’s love and his love for his Lord that gave him the motive to serve.
The Reward of Service
However, he looked for the reward of his service, for the Lord has promised rewards as an encouragement to us. Surely too he looked for what we might call the tangible rewards about which Scripture speaks, for he speaks in the Book of Revelation of crowns, and also of the “white stone” with “a new name written,” which the Lord will give as His own private appreciation of an individual’s service. However, the entire tone of the second and third epistles of John focuses on individuals and John’s love and care for them. In the second epistle he deals with bad doctrine, while in the third epistle he deals with bad practice, for both have been a real snare to the people of God down through the ages. Here in the second epistle, he writes to a woman and her children, and it is touching to see the tenderness and care with which he beseeches her to walk in love and to walk in the truth.
His Own Reward
More than this, he connects his own reward, and the reward of others with him, with their conduct, pointing out that he and others would receive a full reward only if those to whom they had ministered went on well. Even if they went on badly, we can be sure that John would not lose his entire reward, for we read that “God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward His name” (Heb. 6:1010For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6:10)). Whatever is done for Christ will receive a reward, even if the result is not what we would hope. But here I would suggest that the reward would be the joy of seeing in glory those for whom he had labored, as his “joy and crown” (Phil. 4:11Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. (Philippians 4:1)). If they in turn received a reward for faithfulness, he would share in their joy. If they went on in the truth and stood fast in the face of increasing infidelity and bad doctrine, he would share in that reward, as he saw them presented in coming glory. He rejoiced even on earth, as he saw her children walking in truth, but how much more would he rejoice, if they went on steadfast to the end, in what they had heard from the beginning.
We understand this even in natural things. A teacher or professor may teach well and work with his students to enable them to have a good grasp of the particular subject. If they do well on their examinations and perhaps win a reward for an outstanding achievement, the teacher too shares in the joy and honor, for it is his efforts that are now rewarded, as well as the student’s diligence.
The Glory of Christ
It would not be an easy pathway, for to refuse to invite one into the house and to refuse to “bid him God speed” (vs. 10) are difficult things to do and open one to the charge of not showing common courtesy and hospitality. But when the glory of Christ is before us and when it is a question of bad teaching concerning His Person and His work, all else must give way. His glory and honor are paramount.
Surely all this is important for us today. If infidelity and bad teaching were beginning in John’s day, how much more have they ripened today! The believer today must face an increasing current of unfaithfulness and corruption of the truth, and it requires real spiritual energy to walk in a faithful path. Our blessed Lord and Master must always be before us, first and foremost, but we are also told to “remember your leaders who have spoken to you the word of God; and considering the issue of their conversation, imitate their faith” (Heb. 13:77Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. (Hebrews 13:7) JND). The memory of those gone before, who have not only walked faithfully, but who also have instructed us in the Word of God, should motivate us to imitate their faith and to walk in the truth. If we do so, they will receive a full reward.
Eternal Consequences
It is a solemn thought that our conduct down here will not only have eternal consequences for us, but will also have eternal consequences for others. It ought to impact our thinking when we realize that our faithfulness, or lack of it, not only affects our own reward, but also that of others. Again, the thought of rewards is never presented in Scripture as the motive for service, but it ought to be the encouragement for us to walk in what the Word of God teaches and in what other faithful ones have taught us.
W. J. Prost