Truth

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.