2 John__1

Scripture

2 John‬ ‭1:5-6

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“I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning. Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.”

 

Observation-What does it say?

 

In this second epistle, John is writing to the church, reminding them to be mindful in three things:

 

Discernment: The church needed the ability to separate the truth and error when it came to false teachings.

 

Love: According to John no one can claim to love Christ or His church and then not walk faithfully in the truth. Love and truth distinguish God’s people from those who do not belong to Him.

 

Hospitality: The apostles Peter and John both agreed that hospitality is the Christian’s duty and joy, as well as an act of love (1 Peter 4:8-9). But John in this chapter reminds the church that hospitality does have boundaries. God’s people must not welcome, accept, associate with, or support anything or anyone who undermines the truth of the gospel (2 John 1:9-11).

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

The power of love.

 

No!..I’m not talking about the song by Huey Luis and the News from the 80’s movie, Back to the Future.😆 I am talking about God’s love. Let’s put it this way, Jesus simplified following the entire Ten Commandments by doing these two things that involve love.

 

“Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.””-(Matthew‬ ‭22:37-40)

 

So as you can see, love is the foundation of what we are to do as Christ Followers: My love for God, and my love for my fellow man. It really sounds quite simple. But keep in mind, Jesus calls us to love the unlovable and even calls us to love our enemies. So it can be quite challenging at times. But it’s through our love for one another, that people, especially non believers, can experience God and His love first hand.

 

Life Application

 

God is love.

 

Because God is love and we are His children, we are an extension of His love when we go out into the world and love one another. So let’s go out into this dark world right now and share God’s love. Buy someone in need a gift card, send someone an encouraging text, give someone a helping hand, or let someone know that they are loved. Let people see the light and hope in His people, so that they too, can yearn for that love and experience in their lives as well.😊

 

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”-‭‭John‬ ‭13:35

 

-Moses Gaddi