MINISTRY OF TRUTH AND LOVE
Opening Prayer
Christ Jesus, thank you that it is on you I stand, when all else is sinking sand. Inspire my words of praise and speak through them so that others will come to trust in you (Psalm 40:2, 3).
Read 2 JOHN
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
1 The elder,
To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:
3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.
4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
7 I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what we[a] have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. 11 Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.
12 I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
13 The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings.
Footnotes
- 2 John 1:8 Some manuscripts you
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Are you more concerned about showing love to others or standing for the truth? We all like to think we are balanced, but if you are more robust in one direction than the other, which would it be?John wrote this short letter to a lady who hosted a church in her home or possibly a church (he referred to her as ‘the lady chosen by God’) (v. 1). In truth, he loved the church and its members (children). The combination of truth and love is key to this letter (vv. 4–6). We have truth and love fully revealed in Jesus and planted in us by his Spirit. Therefore, both truth and love will characterize genuine Christian ministry (v. 3). We cannot thrive if we pursue love without truth or truth without love.
John wanted to encourage this church as they sought to live out the truth found in Jesus, reminding them to obey Jesus’ instruction to love one another (v. 5). Specifically, he warned them that they needed to show love to visiting teachers without losing their sense of discernment (of truth) (v. 7). There were false teachers taking advantage of hospitality, and John wanted this church not to forsake truth in the name of love and end up sharing in the wicked work of these men (vv. 7–11).
Apply
Think about your ministry in your church, whatever that may be. Does a Christlike love for others characterize it? Is it also honoring the truth found in Christ?
Closing prayer
In the ministries to which you call me, Father, help me to be faithful, balancing my love for others and the truth of the gospel, never choosing one over the other.
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