1The elder, to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not I only, but also all those who know the truth, 2for the truth’s sake, which remains in us, and it will be with us forever: 3Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, even as we have been commanded by the Father. 5Now I beg you, dear lady, not as though I wrote to you a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6This is love, that we should walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, even as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
7For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who don’t confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the Antichrist. 8Watch yourselves, that we don’t lose the things which we have accomplished, but that we receive a full reward. 9Whoever transgresses and doesn’t remain in the teaching of Christ doesn’t have God. He who remains in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10If anyone comes to you and doesn’t bring this teaching, don’t receive him into your house, and don’t welcome him, 11for he who welcomes him participates in his evil deeds.
12Having many things to write to you, I don’t want to do so with paper and ink, but I hope to come to you and to speak face to face, that our joy may be made full. 13The children of your chosen sister greet you. Amen.
In Romans 8:13 and Colossians 3:5 the apostle Paul commands believers to “mortify” or “put to death the misdeeds of the flesh.” Used figuratively, “put to death” means to execute, to make die, to render extinct sinful desires and fleshly appetites. Mortification, which is different from the acknowledgement of sinful deeds (1 John 1:9) is necessary because it focuses on weakening, breaking, and eliminating sinful desires, actions, and habits. Romans 8:13 makes it clear that it is our responsibility to execute the misdeeds of the body. The verb “put to death” is present tense implying continuous action in moment-by-moment Christian living. Notwithstanding, we must be dependent upon the Holy Spirit, for self-discipline alone is insufficient. The Greek tense of the command in Colossians 3:5 “Put to death” entails decisive action.
Therefore, we must refuse to yield to a particular temptation, for every time we give ourselves to it, the stronger the sin will become as it takes hold of our lives. When faced with a particular temptation, consider the (1) dangerous consequences which may follow such as personal guilt, regret, ruined testimony, pain and harm in the lives of others, and grieving (Eph 4:30) and smothering the Holy Spirit’s ministry (1 Thess 5:19), (2) God’s goodness, (3) future judgment of eternal rewards (cf. 1 Cor 3:10-15; 2 Cor 5:9-10; 2 John 8), (4) the majestic beauty of God, (5) the wonder of Calvary, and (6) God’s potential chastisement. (7) Remember sin corrupts, distorts, and changes who we are; (8) Immediately flee from the temptation to sin; (9) Go to the source of the sin seriously probing why we are attracted to this particular sin; (10) think right thoughts; (11) diligently practice noble deeds; (12) prayer; (13) submit ourselves to transparent accountability (James 5:16); (14) Trust God.