Good morning, Father God . . . As we pray through the New Testament, we come to 2 John 1 to 3 John 15. John—the apostle of love—again emphasizes “that we love one another” (2 John 5). John continues, “And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it” (2 John 6). Yes, love means walking according to Your Word, the Bible. It also means living with eyes wide open. As he warned in his first epistle, in the world there are “deceivers,” antichrists, people who do not believe Jesus came in the flesh. Your Word helps distinguish if someone is a believer; those who abide in Jesus’ teaching are true believers. This warning is the key reason for 2 John—don’t pull back from love, but beware of charlatans. In his brief final epistle, 3 John, he again encourages living with eyes wide open. John begins with words of encouragement for the letter’s recipient, his beloved friend Gaius. John says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 4). While John encourages Gaius to continue to extend hospitality to fellow believers, he warns him about a man named Diotrephes, “who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority” (3 John 9). Apparently this church leader also speaks against fellow believers, including John himself, and in his role actually prevents those who endeavor to extend hospitality to fellow brothers. “Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good . . . ” (3 John 11). By contrast, John commends Demetrius, who has received a good report from all. Father God, enable me to love, walk according to Your Word, and have a discerning spirit. Help me to live an exemplary life. May I have a solid reputation like Johns beloved friend Gaius, Demetrius, and the apostle of love himself.
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 13:42:44 +0000
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