2 John 1:4-6 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.
 
THE Christian faith is often referred to as our walk with God, isn’t it? This illustrates friendship, closeness toward a common destination. The gospel’s purpose is to teach us to walk toward heaven in the truth, knowing and obeying the Father’s command. One vital walking command is that you walk in love. But do you wonder how God can command our hearts to change from our sinful ways to walk in God’s truth and love?
    Scripture teaches God empowers you to obey his commands. For example, Jesus commanded Peter and James where to fish: Luke 5:4b he said to Simon Peter, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” … 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. Jesus commanded. The fishermen “walked” into God’s power. Obedience led to a great harvest.
    Jesus shared his power when he commanded his disciples to feed the 5,000. Notice the miracle begins with Jesus’ commands: Matthew 14:18 “Bring the bread and fish here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. All walked in faith. Thousands ate a meal.
    Jesus again commanded Peter to share his power on the sea: Matthew 14:29 “Come,” Jesus said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.” Peter walked on the water! (Sure, we talk about him nearly drowning, but who of you have walked on water?) Even more, Jesus shared his power when he departed the earth: Matthew 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” The apostles obeyed the Lord’s impossible commands. They walked with love and trust for their Lord into an abundant harvest! Billions have come to faith in Jesus.
    Jesus empowers you to obey his command: John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  When you “put down your nets” with Jesus’ love, you will help bring in the great soul harvest into heaven. When “you feed them” in Jesus’ power, a hungry world will consume the Bread of Life, and you will make disciples.”
    Jesus does not command you and then leave you in your own weakness and doubt. His commands transform you to a sure and true walk when you say, “Yes, Jesus. You are my Lord and Savior. I am here to walk with you in love.”
 
Life Thought: How joyful our steps when we obey God’s commands.  

2 John 1:3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with us in truth and love.
 
ARE these perhaps some of the most beautiful words to enter the human mind? Let’s consider their wonder.
    Grace is God’s will to add to your life. Consider the wonder that the Holy Trinity has added faith to mankind to believe in the Son. By this grace, eternal life adds to your soul. As you are alive in Christ, the Spirit’s grace pours into you the benefits of Christian living: Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Grace is God’s power to transform our weakness into strength: 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.” Rejoice in God’s beautiful grace!
    Mercy is God’s tender care specifically to those who are experiencing great difficulty, even misery. Consider, all of us are born miserable in our sin nature. Yet, God’s mercy is to rescue us from this eternal sorrow into eternal joy! To offer mercy to others in the church is to have a servant’s heart. You are willing to stop your life to start helping the suffering through a difficult circumstance. Mercy is to offer prayer, protection, finances, friendship, advice and love to the weary. Rejoice in God’s mercy to your soul! Be thankful for God’s children who have shown you his beautiful mercy.
    Peace is the third blessing. From the Father comes the peace of your soul. You faithfully rest in God’s mercy, assured he has forgiven you. Peace is faith’s fruit, demonstrating you trust God in all circumstances. Peace helps you stop to consider the greater good above your own desires. Peace is God’s gift to protect his church from division and destruction. Peace is God’s reconciliation with sinful mankind, so you can be united to him through Jesus Christ. Peace, indeed, is a beautiful gift!
    How beautiful to know the Father’s grace, mercy and peace is from Jesus Christ! He is the Father's Son. He will be with us in truth and love forever and ever amen. You, Christian, have been favored with the benefits of these three beautiful gifts.
    Now then, be of grace to offer mercy and peace to God’s church. Be of grace, merciful to help bring peace to broken lives. You have received favor. Now offer it.
 
Life Thought: Celebrate each day Jesus is with you in truth and love.
 

2 John:1-2 The elder, to the chosen lady and 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:
 
IN his second letter, John is writing to a specific, unnamed church. Our tendency is to see this as a letter to a particular woman and her children. But evidence supports the chosen lady is a church. Her children are the church’s members. This is the same family-of-God reference John wrote several times in 1 John.
    The elder is John. A common method of introduction was for the writer to first identify himself. John could have said “the apostle” claiming the highest, most authoritative relationship with Jesus. It seems, though, he wants to stress to this church his role as a caretaker and pastor. Perhaps elder also refers to his older age.
    With this short epistle, the Holy Spirit wants to continue to focus our minds on the truth. Three times in this opening, John mentions truth as the crucial point of the church’s faith and his relationship with them.
    To love them in the truth is to love them because they are united with John in the true gospel. The unifying power of love comes from heaven, to the cross, to the grave and back to heaven. God, who is love, calls his children to him. He shows them love. Truly confessing Jesus, we love all others who do so because we are one community, one universal church in this truth.
    To know the truth is a determined response to the gospel. Our lives grow toward each other as we truly know how to love God and obey his commands. As a result the truth lives in us. We have a living, loving relationship with God and all his children.
    Truth creates peace. Truth advances love. Truth empowers humility. Truth transforms minds. Truth celebrates salvation. Truth keeps you steady in the storms. Truth assures you to confess, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Mathew 14:33b) Truly you are one with God.
 
Life Thought: Live in truth, so it lives out in you.

2 John:1-2 The elder, to the chosen lady and 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:
 
IN his second letter, John is writing to a specific, unnamed church. Our tendency is to see this as a letter to a particular woman and her children. But evidence supports the chosen lady is a church. Her children are the church’s members. This is the same family-of-God reference John wrote several times in 1 John.
    The elder is John. A common method of introduction was for the writer to first identify himself. John could have said “the apostle” claiming the highest, most authoritative relationship with Jesus. It seems, though, he wants to stress to this church his role as a caretaker and pastor. Perhaps elder also refers to his older age.
    With this short epistle, the Holy Spirit wants to continue to focus our minds on the truth. Three times in this opening, John mentions truth as the crucial point of the church’s faith and his relationship with them.
    To love them in the truth is to love them because they are united with John in the true gospel. The unifying power of love comes from heaven, to the cross, to the grave and back to heaven. God, who is love, calls his children to him. He shows them love. Truly confessing Jesus, we love all others who do so because we are one community, one universal church in this truth.
    To know the truth is a determined response to the gospel. Our lives grow toward each other as we truly know how to love God and obey his commands. As a result the truth lives in us. We have a living, loving relationship with God and all his children.
    Truth creates peace. Truth advances love. Truth empowers humility. Truth transforms minds. Truth celebrates salvation. Truth keeps you steady in the storms. Truth assures you to confess, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Mathew 14:33b) Truly you are one with God.
 
Life Thought: Live in truth, so it lives out in you.

 

1 John 5:21 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.
 
TO close this letter to the church, John offers a loving reminder to keep God above all things.  
    “To keep” is to safeguard, to protect and to preserve. Keeping from idols is to safeguard God’s place in your heart, your home and your church. Safe in Christ, you are kept in the Father’s protection. On your way to heaven, you are to keep the Holy Trinity above all. This is for your blessing and God’s glory. The more you keep Jesus close to you, the more easily people will see and know the Father.
    Jesus urges you to keep God foremost with your words and habits: Matthew 5:33b “Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.” God despises hypocrisy. A confession of Christ must match your habits. Are you keeping the vows you spoke at your marriage, at joining the church and at the confession of faith in God?
    Jesus commands you to keep God’s eternal life in mind as you faithfully wait for him: Matthew 24:42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”  Are you keeping your eternal life foremost in your mind? You know, don’t you, this is your most precious possession? Are you helping others keep watch in expectation of standing before God one day? Are you considering the account God keeps of your life?
    Jesus also sets an example to help you firmly keep toward your purpose with him: Luke 13:33 “In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day – for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!” Consider, Jesus kept to his mission to keep you from hell.
    Are you staying on the path God leads you, even though it is perhaps difficult, sacrificial living? That’s what Jesus did and what he urges you to do: John 12:25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  
    Yes, to keep from idols is a great challenge. You will keep your faith when you keep God’s Word, grace, gift, sacrifice and power on your mind.  
     
 
Life Thought: Keeping God above idols is the way to keep all other things in their proper place. 
 
 

1 John 5:18-19 We know that those who have been born from God don't go on sinning. Rather, the Son of God protects them, and the evil one can’t harm them. 19 We know that we are from God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
 
IF you have followed along with these teachings over the past year, you have had an opportunity to read the apostle John’s gospel of Jesus’ ministry and John’s prophecy from Revelation. Two reoccurring themes in those two books are evident here: 1) Christians are those who have been born anew from God’s grace into the family of God. 2) God allows Satan to have a time to control some hearts and minds throughout the earth.
    To be born from God echoes Jesus’ teaching in John 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” And know this family language in John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
    God has acted to birth you anew. You are re-formed into his likeness to join with his family! The rebirth not only give you a new identity called “Christian”, it gives you a new purpose and a new structure for your life. John urges you to consider how to joyfully, lovingly live in your new family. Jesus is your “big brother” protector, so the evil one cannot harm you.
    You need Jesus’ protection. Trials and temptations mark your life as the Father permits Satan to roam the earth. But know and believe God has a shield on your soul. You have the means to resist the devil and confess Christ Jesus.
    Yes, we all are tempted. Even Jesus was several times. Yet, we can deny the lies in Jesus’ power. The apostle Paul affirms temptation is even a strengthening process. Facing down temptation with Jesus’ resurrection power, you will more abundantly trust God’s power to enrich and guard your life: 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. Yes, child of God, stand in your Father’s presence alongside the Son. You can be sure he is the means to resist evil.
    If your life, though, reflects a continual desire to oppose God, your soul may be in danger. To go on sinning is the attitude of a careless life. Yes, we all sin. But what is your desire? If you are desiring evil and avoiding God, check your faith. It’s time to repent and return to the Son’s protection. The Bible clearly teaches it is not possible to truly call Jesus, “Brother.” and then say, “No.” to his commands, his church and his Word.  
 
Life Thought: The evil one cannot control the born-again soul.
     

1 John 5:16-17 If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.
 
HOW do we know  John’s meaning of the sin that leads to death and the sin that does not lead to death? The best way to know the Bible is to look “around” the words you question. Understand the writer’s central focus. This is its context. You then examine other Bible passages that speak to the same focus.
    The context here is to remember John is writing about praying in God’s will. John had learned about God’s will regarding unforgiven sin from the Master: Matthew 12:31 “And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”  This is blasphemy, to deliberately and consistently rebel against the Holy Spirit’s truth. Such people deny his authority, deny Jesus is Lord and deliberately disobey God’s commands. Arrogance overwhelms their hearts.
    Such were the condemned of the Great Flood, unfaithful Israelites in the Exodus journey and idol-worshiping kings such as Ahab in 1-2 Kings. Sin that leads to death is putting self consistently and deliberately above God.
    Examine the Bible and know that God’s prophets and apostles record rebellion’s deadly effects. From Moses: Numbers 15:31 Because he has despised the Lord’s word and broken his commands, that person must surely be cut off; his guilt remains on him. God’s will was to kill the unbelievers.
    From the apostle Paul: Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. God will not forgive blasphemous, rebellious hearts.
    Does John, then, teach us not to pray about that unbelieving sin? His meaning is to submit to God’s will as you pray. Allow the Lord to deal with the unbeliever’s heart. Be at peace in your heart as you pray for hard hearts. Salvation is the Lord’s work and will.
    The sin that does not lead to death are as we do each day in the course of our faith journey. A true believer strives to reject sin. Saved in Christ, you live in love for God to overcome its effects on your relationship with God. Supporting each other to pray, “lead us not into temptation” is a constant work in the church.
    As the Scriptures teach, all sin leads to death if we do not confess to God, “I am a sinner. I need a Savior.” This is a heart of confession that leads to God’s eternal life.
 
Life Thought: Confessing Christ, as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalms 103:12
 

1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask –  we know that we have what we asked of him.
 
IN review, we have seen some of the 16 times John uses the phrase “we know” in this epistle. Here are two more: that he hears us…that we have what we asked of him. How do we know God hears and we have?
    The key to knowing both is to pray anything according to his will. Know then, that God’s will is his desires to fulfill his purpose on earth. Scripture teaches his desire is to draw people from all nations to him. God’s will is for his chosen people – his church today – to call on his name. God’s desire is for mankind to demonstrate God’s love and holiness to one another.
    In this view, God’s will for your life is to use his means of grace to instruct you on how to know and respond to his desires. This is to study Scripture, serve, share, pray, use spiritual gifts, etc.
    In addition, God’s will is for his church to be one (Ephesians 4). His will is to re-create this world one day. (Revelation 21-22) There is more. But I believe you get the point. To know God’s will is to know God’s purpose.
    Knowing his will, you will pray his purposes, to be done on earth. In faith, you will know he hears such prayers. In response, he will give you the means to do his will on earth. For example, you know peace in your life is God’s will. If, then, you pray, “God, help me bring peace to my family.” this is in his will. He will give you the words, the wisdom and the opportunity to represent Christ as a peacemaker in your home.
    Do you want your church to be more united? Ask God. It’s his desire, too. Do you want your country to be more righteous? Pray for righteous
leaders. This is God’s will, too. Are you eager for your own life to be more fruitful? Pray to bear kingdom fruit. This is God’s will, too.  
    You might ask, “If this is God’s will, why doesn’t he simply make it happen?” Essentially, the answer is that his will is also for you to trust him for all things. If he quickly and easily made all things right, we would have no need for him, would we? Too much ease, and we would do as we please.
    Know God will is to say, “Yes!” when you pray for his will to be done on earth – at his time and for his glory.
 
Life Thought: “‘Thy will, not mine, be done.’ The sweetest lesson I have learned in God's school is to let the Lord choose for me.” Dwight L. Moody
 

1 John 5:10-11 Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
 
WOULD you stand before God and say, “You are a liar.” This is a sobering, even shocking thought. Essentially, though, this is what happens when we deliberately sin, refusing to accept the Bible’s teachings. Unbelief is the reason for sin. Our hearts are formed in Adam’s sin that originated in his unbelief of God’s commands. In Adam, our natural words to God are, “You lie, God. I don’t trust you. I’ll live in my own way.” Thankfully, God has graciously turned many of us to believe the Bible is his true words. In faith and love, we strive to know the Truth.
    How sad that most of mankind has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. How do we who believe respond to those who make God out to be a liar?
    A Christian’s response to any circumstance in life is to follow Jesus, isn’t it? Our hearts to help unbelievers begins with hearts grateful to God that we believe. Through the Spirit’s power, we have been born again into a new life. By his grace we have received the truth. Walking with Jesus, then, is a very special and wonderful appointment to eternal life. You know with awe and reverence God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
    In Jesus’ way, then, we offer him to those who do not know. Just as he came to serve you, you humbly serve. You are faithful to pray for them. Patiently, you listen to them. You are kind to get to know them. You are truthful to tell them of sin. You are forgiving when they sin. You are faithful to tell them of eternal life in Jesus.
    God could have stayed in heaven and let us die in our sins. But came to seek and save the unbelievers. The Son of God died, so you would live in heaven.
    The same is true for us. Follow Jesus. Each day use your privileged life to display God’s richness. As your cup overflows with God’s grace, you pour into others, so they, too, may drink of God’s life.
    I’m sure you thank God for people who have told you the truth. Who will thank God for your love and truth?
 
Life Thought: Luke 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
 
 

1 John 5:6-9 This is the one who came by water and blood – Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three agree. 9 We accept man's testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.
 
TO the Jews, a man’s testimony is very important to establish the truth. Moses’ law required two witnesses to confirm a legal matter. John uses this credibility of man’s testimony to confirm God’s four testimonies that Jesus is the true Messiah.
    The first testimony of Jesus the Christ is water. The apostle reaffirms his record of John the Baptist’s words in the gospel John 1:26a “I baptize with water,” John replied. Prophets and teachers baptized with water in the Old Testament as a testimony of one’s repentance and non-Jew converts to Judaism. Water throughout Scripture is God’s testimony of creation, holiness, renewal and re-creation.
    The testimony of water connects with Jesus’ role as Messiah. John, the baptizer, baptized Jesus with water to fulfill the law of repentance. Luke 3:21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
    Do you see two other testimonies here? As Jesus came out of the water, both the Father and Spirit testified to Jesus’ deity. With the evidence of water, the Father’s affirmation and the Spirit’s power, Jesus then began his ministry toward the blood testimony. Luke 22:20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Paul reaffirms  in Romans 3:25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice.
    Water, blood, Spirit testify to the Messiah. They are more than man’s testimony. No other man can claim this. John wanted his church to know, to determine with all truth, Jesus is the Messiah. This is God’s legal authority. In water, blood and Spirit, Jesus has paid the cost of your sin.
    With God’s testimony, your testimony is sure. Testify, be a witness to a world who needs to know the Savior. John 3:5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.” 
 
Life Thought: Be a testimony. Trust your Lord. Declare your faith.