V. 8 -- “Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.”

 

What is it that we are in danger of losing? What is it that we have accomplished?

 

This is NOT referring to salvation.  Salvation is not accomplished by man, but by God alone through Christ alone, and once accomplished – can NEVER be lost. It’s held according to the power and authority of the One who accomplishes it. 

 

So, what is this talking about? 

 

ACCOMPLISH – means to work. To produce something. To labor

 

KJV – “...that we lose not those things which we have wrought.”

 

What is it that we have accomplished? 

 

The whole thrust of this letter, thus far, is to reestablish this lady in the truth. To build up the protection that she had neglected by not walking in the truth as she ought. This is our responsibility.

 

“We are no longer to be children tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of man, by craftiness in deceitful scheming BUT speaking the TRUTH in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head even Christ.”

 – Ephesians 4:14-15

 

Speaking the truth in love. – this is what we are to be doing.

 

SPEAKING – “To deal faithfully or truly with anyone.” – Vines

 

Isn’t this what John has been talking about?  This is how we are to act and how we are to respond, as opposed to being carried about by what is false. 

 

When we speak truth what is it we are accomplishing? 

 

Personal growth, protection, and perhaps most importantly a Christ-likeness.  (Christ’s life is the epitome of truthfulness.  He dealt in absolute truth with everyone He ever encountered.) If we are accomplishing a Christ-likeness we are accomplishing the very pleasure of our Father.  

 

God took the most pleasure in His Son, and we are exhorted to imitate Him by which we also might be pleasing to God.

 

“and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” – Matt 3:17

 

“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” – 1 Cor 11:1

 

When we imitate Christ, we are pleasing our Father, we are doing what He has commanded us to do and what He has purposed us to do, and therefore we are accomplishing the very will of God.

 

“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects…” – Col 1:9-10a

 

Walking in the truth accomplishes the very pleasure of God, because it accomplishes the very will of God. 

 

The two are inseparable.   

 

Walking in truth secures our ability to please God, because it puts us in a position to fulfill His will.

 

To be preoccupied with truth is to be preoccupied with the will of God, therefore – Walking in the truth is to be our first rule of business. 

 

Think of how much is lost when we do not adhere to this rule.  

 

God’s word of truth is our standing orders.  And it MUST be brought to bear upon whatever we hear, see, feel, or think.

 

We do not govern truth – truth governs us.  WATCH YOURSELVES.

 

He doesn’t say here to watch for others – his admonishment is to watch ourselves. To keep ourselves in check.  To keep walking that line of truth so that we might discern any variance. 

 

We cannot aide in the lives of others while neglecting our own.  If you are flying in a plane and it starts to lose cabin pressure, you are first to put the oxygen on yourself before helping others.  It is of no help to the person you’re seeking to aide, if in the attempt you perish along with them because you did not take the appropriate measures to secure yours and therefore, their safety. 

 

We are to be on the alert for our own spiritual wellbeing.  

 

V. 8 -- “Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.”

 

So, what is it that we are in danger of losing?

 

When walking in the truth, if what we are accomplishing is the will of God – that which is pleasing in His sight – by not doing so, aren’t we in danger of losing His pleasure? 

 

I think we are in danger of losing those things we have built up – our protection and growth – but ultimately, we are in danger of losing the good pleasure of our Father. 

 

“Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

 

FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE,

HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY.

BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH;

AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM.” – Heb 10:35-38

 

LOSE – to destroy, render useless. 

 

“The idea is not extinction but ruin, loss, not of being, but of wellbeing.” - Vines

 

Again, were not talking about eternity.  We’re not talking about losing our salvation, but rather the quality of our Christian life.  A child that spends his life in rebellion against his Father’ will is going to have a life of strife.  And will not experience or benefit from the closeness of a relationship with a Father that is well pleased with His child. 

 

Such children will be more susceptible, weaker vessels, always relying on the gifts and abilities of others rather than their own – because their own have either not been discovered or have built up rust from unuse and neglect.  

 

They are often depressed – lacking the joy that comes from obedience, and the security that comes from faith. 

 

They do not recognize the hand of God at work as they should, they have become dull to His touch and unmoved by His goodness. Unsatisfied and unthankful. 

 

What. A. Loss. – What a waste. 

 

“Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a fullreward.”

 

We can experience the ‘Immediate’ benefits from this reward during our life, BUT it is ultimately something we will experience in eternity.  When we finally meet our LORD face to face and we hear the words: “well done, good and faithful servant.” And we see and partake of the pleasure of our Heavenly Father.

 

“Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.” – 1 Cor 4:5

 

Imagine receiving praise from Eternal God.  This is a full reward indeed. 

 

A reward that should motivate us to walk in truth.

 

Times are becoming dark…the importance of truth is immeasurable. In a world of deception and chaos it is what grounds us and sustains us. 

 

What will you do with truth?

 

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” – Eph 5:15-17