God’s Saving Word: Love
Introduction
2 John: The Second Letter of John was written by “the Elder” to “the dear Lady and to her children,” probably meaning a local church and its members. The brief message is an appeal to love one another and a warning against deceivers and their teachings.
Scripture Reading
1 From the Elder—
To the dear Lady and to her children, whom I truly love. And I am not the only one, but all who know the truth love you, 2 because the truth remains in us and will be with us forever.
3 May God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, give us grace, mercy, and peace; may they be ours in truth and love.
Truth and Love
4 How happy I was to find that some of your children live in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And so I ask you, dear Lady: let us all love one another. This is no new command I am writing you; it is the command which we have had from the beginning. 6 This love I speak of means that we must live in obedience to God’s commands. The command, as you have all heard from the beginning, is that you must all live in love.
7 Many deceivers have gone out over the world, people who do not acknowledge that Jesus Christ came as a human being. Such a person is a deceiver and the Enemy of Christ. 8 Be on your guard, then, so that you will not lose what we have worked for, but will receive your reward in full.
9 Anyone who does not stay with the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God. Whoever does stay with the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 So then, if some come to you who do not bring this teaching, do not welcome them in your homes; do not even say, “Peace be with you.” 11 For anyone who wishes them peace becomes their partner in the evil things they do.
Final Words
12 I have so much to tell you, but I would rather not do it with paper and ink; instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you personally, so that we shall be completely happy.
13 The children of your dear Sister send you their greetings.
Today’s Key Verse: 1 John 6b
The command, as you have all heard from the beginning, is that you must all live in love.
Reflect
Along with encouraging the Lord’s followers, a warning about deceivers is given. What is the message the deceivers are spreading? What does the letter say about love? About truth? How can people know what is true? How do Christians today show love for God and for others?
Pray
Lord Jesus, thank you for placing your truth in my heart. Give me the mind to discern your truth and your ways, that my beliefs and actions may reflect your will. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
3 John: A church leader is praised.