God Speed
- Doctrines of Demons
by Ron Graham
“Whosoever
transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that
abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If
there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your
house, neither bid him God speed:” 2 John 1:9-10.
“God speed”. We hear this
phrase from time to time and when it is voiced it is usually as someone is
leaving on a journey, it’s used as a request for God to provide His
providential care upon that person. In the context of the above verse the
phrase “God speed” when offered at the time of a person’s departure means
you’re telling them you hope they thrive, flourish, prosper, succeed. According
to the Apostle John this phrase should only be voiced when addressing someone
who is in full agreement with the doctrine of Christ.
John
begins his second epistle by addressing the elect lady; some scholars believe
he’s speaking to Mary the mother of our Lord, others believe he’s simply
addressing a certain congregation of the saints. But to whoever the letter is
addressed one thing is certain, he’s addressing God’s children.
John begins his
salutation with “Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and
from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.” 2 John
1:3. His salutation includes a short phrase that to most of us may seem an
unnecessary inclusion in his salutation, the Son of the Father. He does this
because we must always be reminded of the immaculate conception of Christ, since
the Gnostics absolutely deny that truth. John was fully aware that many false
teachings concerning Christ were in the world, and that those teachings could
and would corrupt the doctrine of Christ. To this date the Gnostics have been
quite successful promoting their doctrines of demons.
Then John
moves into a tone which seems as though he is begging the reader to remember
the commandment given by our Lord. “And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though
I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning,
that we love one another.” 2 John 1:5. Why is John repeating Jesus’ admonition
to His disciples? Because it is an essential part of Christian doctrine and
needs to be repeated as a reminder of how we are to treat one another.
But
there’s something more here, something deeper that John will address. John, in
Christian love, is concerned for his readers that they might become indifferent
towards the commandments and void of the heart of obedience. Being obedient to
the commandments of our Lord is proof that we love Him. Keeping our Lord’s
commandments is a deterrent to allowing false doctrines to thrive within our
congregations.
Without a
doubt John is addressing saints in his second epistle. Without even knowing it,
some saints will actually embrace false doctrines, especially those who reject
Bible study as a necessity for every Christian. But none of us saints (born
again “in Christ” followers of our Lord Messiah Jesus) should ever knowingly
embrace false doctrines (doctrines of demons). You might be wondering how it is
possible for someone who is born again to embrace and legitimize the doctrines
of demons. I’ll explain in a moment. But know this, even a born again follower
of Jesus Christ can embrace doctrines of demons simply by bidding a purveyor of
such a person God speed (may your doctrines thrive), and as I will explain in a
moment, I believe there are other ways as well.
First, let
me ask this question. How many Christians today abideth (stand up for) the
doctrine of Christ? With the apostasy growing at breakneck speeds around this
planet the answer is far less then we might think. Anyone who denies the deity
of Christ is living a lie. Anyone who promotes this same doctrine is promoting
doctrines of demons.
John goes
on to explain the reason for this admonition. “For he that biddeth him God
speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” 2 John 1:11. In other words, when we
offer the salutation “God speed” to those who are opposed to the true doctrine
of Christ we become partakers (accomplices) in their false doctrine. There are
many doctrines of demons encroaching on the doctrine of Christ these days. Many
claim to be Christian, thus they claim kinship with those who are actually born
again. Yet they completely deny Christ’s deity. This is what John is trying to
convince his readership of as he was fully aware of the Gnostic religion (those
denying the deity of Messiah Jesus, His resurrection, and His immaculate
conception) permeating the land.
Today, as
in John’s day, the Gnostics are in full bloom. Who are they? They are those who
oppose the doctrine of Christ. In my commentary titled “Apostasy” I wrote about
those who transgress the doctrine of Christ and I made brief mention of but a
few of them. Although there are many who fall into the category of transgressors,
John references them as Gnostics.
The evil
that John saw approaching was subtly infiltrating even the Ekklesia (assembly
of the called out) and he was warning his readership against those who were
spreading the doctrines of demons to the extent that they were not even to
invite them into their homes; offer no hospitality. We, the followers of Jesus
Christ, have a responsibility for maintaining His correct doctrine and
admonishing our fellow saints to be just as cautious when it comes to the ever
increasing infiltration of the doctrines of demons into our lives. We must
stand up for the doctrine of Christ while we help others to recognize the false
doctrines that are currently encroaching on and being accepted by the Ekklesia
of the Lord.
Be on your
guard always as the enemy is crafty, he exploits every venue imaginable, most
of the time with cunningness such as that of a lion sneaking up on its prey. On
occasion these transgressors will come to our homes armed with their erroneous
literature while their pleasantries are flawless, but they are full of
deceptions and perversions of the true doctrine of Christ. They are the
Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormons. These are but two groups of Gnostics but
these are the ones who make it a practice to visit people’s homes. John says we
are not to even invite them in and especially do not bid them God speed as they
leave the premises.
Lately
I’ve been pondering the current presidential race. I’ve noticed a very well
mannered, pleasant speaking, somewhat charismatic individual running for that
particular office. He is being promoted as the front runner of all Republicans
running. His name is Mitt Romney. He makes some great arguments, he stands
opposed to Obama and that fact alone excites me. On the surface there doesn’t
seem to be anything that would preclude most conservative thinking Christians
from casting their vote for this individual. Certainly he can’t be as bad as
the current occupant of the White House. Well there is that one thing that kind
of hangs over him like a dark cloud – Mormonism. He’s a Mormon. He’s a lifelong
member of one of the fastest growing cults in the world, and as such he abideth
not in the doctrine of Christ, (hence he) hath not God – his doctrines of faith
are of demons.
I’ve
spoken to other Christians about this man; many are very encouraged by him and
are willing to help him gain the presidency. I must admit, I too was about to
fall for that trap, as the saying goes “anybody but Obama”. Most Christians
today separate their Christian faith and their walk with Jesus from the rest of
their life’s activities be it politics, work, freemasonry, or other associations.
But if you really give it some thought it is impossible to leave your
Christianity at home when you go out to associate with the world as the Holy
Spirit indwells every born again believer all the time.
Many times
Christians are defined by what we reject as much as by what we accept. Some are
so open minded that they are empty headed. As born again in Christ believers,
by casting a vote for this man are we not also accepting his doctrines of
belief? And what will that say to the rest of the world when they find out that
Christians voted into the highest office of their land a Mormon? Would we not
be legitimizing his religion as we cast a vote for him? Satan is already in the
White House under the guise of a man named Obama. Casting a vote for another
man who has also embraced the doctrines of demons won’t change that fact. The
White House belongs to “We the People”. In that context wouldn’t inviting a
lifelong member of a major cult to take up residence in our house by offering
him hospitality using our voting power be the same as the promotion of
Mormonism – the doctrines of demons? Would we not be partakers of his evil
deeds? Certainly food for thought.
“Be ye not
unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness
with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what
concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an
infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the
temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in
them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” 2 Corinthians
6:14-16. Many believe these verses refer to the marriage of a Christian with a
nonbeliever. This is not the case, we as believers in Christ must not have any
fellowship with unrighteousness – with the spirit of darkness – for what has
Messiah to do with Satan? God has no unity with Satan. In every aspect of a
Christian’s life there should never be any acceptance of doctrines of demons.
I’m in no
way advocating for the reelection of the man that currently occupies the White
House. Some of you will say that by withholding my vote for either of these
individuals, will only shore up an Obama win. I doubt that. But whether that is
the case or not, I will stand firm on the doctrine of Christ. I spent too much
of my life either ignoring Him or resisting Him, no more. My thoughts and
actions as a child of God must always be in line with my Father in Heaven
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against
the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the
obedience of Christ;” 2 Corinthians 10:5.
God bless
you all,
Ron Graham
All
scripture is “theopneustos” God breathed
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