The Teaching OF Christ

2 John 1:9 (NAS), "Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son."

There is much teaching about the Christ occurring in the religious world today. Preachers preach about Jesus. They speak of His love and grace. They speak of developing a relationship with Him. In fact, there are countless classes, small groups, seminars, books and blogs that share in teaching about Christ ... but that is not what the apostle John says.

The verse above speaks of abiding in "the teaching OF Christ," not teaching about Christ. Yes, we hear so much about Jesus' love and mercy, but are we connecting with that love and mercy by hearing and obeying the commands of Christ? Our Master has said, "If you love Me, you will obey what I command" (John 14:15, NIV). He has also said that such obedience is what motivates His love, "If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him" (John 14:23, NIV).

So why is there so much being said ABOUT Christ, and so little being said of His teachings ... of our Lord's commands? Have we not received a great commission? We go ... we baptize ... but are we at all fulfilling that part about "teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:20)?

May it be our goal not just to share teachings about Christ, but the teachings OF Christ. Truly it is a life or death matter. "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him" (John 3:36, NAS).