Love in Truth

2 John 1–13
1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love. 4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 5 And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. 6 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. 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works. 12 Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 13 The children of your elect sister greet you.

It is most likely that 2 John was an additional/personal note written to one of the churches that would receive his letter. In this brief greeting we find John warning against foolishly opening your home and your heart to those who would try to steal your faith or draw you into unbelief.

 So how do we walk the line between graciously reaching out to those who need us and wisely protecting our faith? Surely there must be room for grace. And of course there is a place for us to reach out and care for the non-believer. But we cannot surrender our faith in the process. This is what John is warning against. He was probably referring a specific practice that was common during his day where those who pretended to preach Christ did so only to drag believers away from the faith. We certainly have those same people around today.

 It's okay to be cautions. Your faith is worth everything. But if we are attentive to the voice of the Spirit, immersed in the Word of God, and surrounded on a regular basis by strong believers, we have the protection necessary and our out-reach can come from a safe place.


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