And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. 6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.—2 John 5-6
I am thankful for this short epistle in which John clarifies what loving in truth means in Christian hospitality. First off, there is controversy among commentators as to who this elect lady and her children are. Some think that John is referring metaphorically to a particular local church and her children to congregation members. I am of the opinion that they are just what he says...a mom and her kids who were well known to him and loved in truth.
Perhaps the lady John addresses in this epistle had asked him for guidance in regard to Christian hospitality. Her question and her desire are good. She wants to love others especially those who are of the household of faith, but not encourage fellowship with false teachers. John’s answer is really encapsulated in verses 5 and 6 above. The truth of God is the basis for all we do and all we say in our Christian walk.
There are so many ways that the world loves, but what does it mean to love in truth? Loving in truth, as verse 5 tells us, is walking in accordance to the commandments of God. Loving this way, then, has eternal effects because truth is eternal. It abides in us and is with us forever. God is love so when we love in truth, we love as He loves.
Beloved, the truth of God must be our grounding and our guide and the love of God our motivation and basis for everything we do and say as believers. Biblical love is a matter of choice and it must be with discernment based on the truth of God revealed in His word. It is not loving then to the people of God to open your door to fellowship with false teachers.
For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
9 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. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.—2 John 7-11
What a pastor’s heart the apostle John had for the people (“little children”) in his care. I love that he took the time to write to this elect lady whom he loved in truth to address her hospitality concerns.
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.—Galatians 6:2
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.—Colossians 3:16-17
No comments:
Post a Comment