2nd John?

Good Morning!

Quick … how many of you have read / studied 2nd John, 3rd John or Jude?

You know I have been attending church for most of my nearly sixty-one years and I cannot remember one sermon coming from either of 2nd John or 3rd John. I might have heard a sermon from Jude before … but I would have to strain to remember it.

How about we take this morning to read 2nd John:

2 John 1 (English Standard Version)
Greeting
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.
Walking 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. 5And 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. 6And 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. 7For 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. 8Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we[a] have worked for, but may win a full reward. 9Everyone 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. 10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
Final Greetings
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.
13The children of your elect sister greet you.
Footnotes:
a. 2 John 1:8 Some manuscripts you

Reading the Scripture just as it is, John is writing to a Christian lady (elect lady) and to her children. And then he tags on all who know the truth – that being that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah (Christ) and is God made flesh.

John compliments the lady that SOME of her children walk in the truth – not all, just some. And then John encourages her to continue to walk in love – the command Jesus gave to each and every one of us. Loving people can be difficult. To walk in love is to let love ooze out of every pore until it drips on the ground as you walk along. People know when a person loves that way.

John also warns the dear lady to watch out for those people who were saying that Jesus was not flesh. There was / is a group of people who believe and teach that Jesus was a spirit and not flesh and blood. We know that is not true because the Bible says that He became flesh and lived among us. John’s warning as it applies to you and me is to be aware that some folks will form their own teachings that are false and mislead people.

Finally, John closes the letter with the wish that he could talk face to face.

And so, we have done a ten minute run through 2nd John – included in the Scripture for our benefit. And what is that benefit? John is encouraging us to continue in the Way that God has given us – to abide in the teaching of Christ – to live in Christ. Step by step, everyday, Jesus is with us all the way. Have a great Tuesday.

Agape’

Mr. Jim