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Spirituality is cropping up everywhere these days—through angel-on-your-shoulder pins, music, books, magazines, and psychic readings. With such an emphasis on "religion" in today's world, how can you tell what's really Christian from what's not?

The answer is a Person—Jesus Christ—for what you believe about Jesus Christ makes an eternal difference. If you think he's merely a good man, a moral role model, then he can be lumped together with the leaders of Buddhism, Mormonism, and so on. But if you believe he truly is the Son of God, that he was sent from God himself to live on earth in human form, that he died a sacrificial death on the cross for your sins, then you have to choose whether to accept this sacrifice personally or not.

Second John makes it clear that life as a Christian won't be easy. You'll be bombarded with all sorts of lies: "Many deceivers have gone out into the world" (verse 7). But you don't have to fall for their spiels. You can check out their words and philosophies against the truth of the Bible and "abide in the doctrine of Christ" (verse 9). (See also Genesis 12:1-7; Matthew 25:31-46; Acts 13:1-5; Galatians 5:16-26; 2 Timothy 2:14-26.)

Good Words to Remember:
Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 2 John 9

Today's Challenge:
What do you believe about Jesus Christ?

Bible Studies to Help You Go Deeper