READ 2 John 1

John touches upon two major thoughts in this short chapter. He speaks about the importance of walking in love, and deals with the doctrinal realities concerning the person of Christ.  The word “truth” appears five times in the epistle. This morning we will focus upon what it means to walk in love.

Notice 2 John 1:5-6, “And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk after His commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.”

John had written the same in his first epistle (See I John 2:7, 2:16, and 3:23). This, of course, was predicated upon what Jesus had directed in the Book of John. “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another, as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34)  “This is my commandment, That ye love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). Whether the ‘elect lady’ had read John’s first epistle is not known. However, they likely were well aware of what Jesus had taught in loving one another.

John went on to expand the principle of love explaining that true spiritual love will manifest itself in obedience to God’s commandments. To say we love God but ignore His commandments is a contradiction of terms. Jesus made that clear in John 14:15, 21, and 23. Love of God is inseparably related to obeying Him. To love Him is to obey His commandments. Or, as John put it here, it is to walk in them. More specifically, love for God will manifest itself in obedience to His command to love one another (See I John 5:1).

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  What is the greatest challenge you face in having to love your enemies?

2.  Is there someone you know who needs your love today? How can you help?

3.  Can people tell you are a Christian by your love? Or would they be surprised to hear it? Explain.

4.  Does your life reflect that you love God? How so?