Watch Out!

Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – March 15, 2018

By Tripp Prince

Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 2 John 1:8-9 (NIV)

In just a few short sentences, 2 John reminds us of a persistent temptation that we must actively and intentionally resist. Though many of us may follow the Lord faithfully for years, actively seeking to join him in the work of his Kingdom and the renewing work of his Spirit, it is still possible to carelessly lose focus of the Lord and turn away from the life he invites us to lead. While this can at times result in a complete loss of faith, it is often more subtle and difficult to identify. We still profess faith and even seek to follow Jesus with our lives, yet we want to follow him on our terms, and as this passage reminds us, at our pace.

When Jesus invites people to be his disciples, he says “Come, follow me” (Matthew 4:19).  Jesus leads, we follow. This is life as it is meant to be. It is the surest path to a faithful, meaningful, and fulfilled life. It doesn’t guarantee a painless or trouble free journey. There are always trials and sorrows along the way, yet Jesus leads us through them and we are safe and secure when he is our guide and shepherd.

And yet, each and every one of us faces the temptation to “run ahead” of Jesus. It’s hard to stay in line, trusting that he knows what’s best, that he sees a way forward when everything seems to be falling apart. The very first disciples had to learn this lesson (see Matthew 16:23), and in our own lives we must do the same.

Are there ways that you have run ahead of Jesus? Have you found yourself battling impatience and frustration with God’s pace and lack of urgency in answering a prayer or resolving a tense situation? Could it be that he wants you to stay in line behind him and learn to trust that he knows what he’s doing and that his timing is perfect?

We run ahead of God thinking we know what is best, yet this passage reminds us that we can run ahead so fast that we lose God in the process. Yet if you and I continue in the slow and faithful work of discipleship, the Scriptures promise that God is with us and will draw us closer and closer into relationship with himself!

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