Scripture: “I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. And now I ask you, dear lady…that we love one another.
And this is love: that we walk according to the commandments.
(And) this is the commandment: just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.” (excerpts from 2 John vs. 4-6)
Observation: I read the above selection and I am calmed. Why? I think it is because I see the Doctrines of God in John’s voice.
Love is very distinct biblically and nowhere near the tumultuous expression of love that I bring to the table.
Analysis: I just took a great big “sigh” and thought, “I will be working on loving like God wants me to for the rest of my life.”
Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34) Jesus further clarified the commandment, “Greater love has no one than this: that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
John picked up on that principle thoroughly.
In the first part of the verse above, John identifies to the “dear lady” that he found some of the children walking in truth. Reversing the statement, John insinuates that other of the children were not walking in truth.
Assuming the “dear lady” is also aware of the situation and perhaps is distraught, not of the “truth-walkers” but of the ones who were not, it appears that John is attempting to refocus by reminding “that we love one another.”
Ok: I am thinking that I pulled an obscure analysis out of this selection. Maybe not. How does this apply to me?
How many times have I wrung my hands, heart, and mind over the ones lost and not fully rejoiced over the few that were found?
Ok: here’s something harder. How many times have I rejoiced over the ones lost? Yep, hard to think about—but accurate in a biblical way. “Oh, Lord, I totally messed up that witnessing opportunity. They could have been saved if only I had that answer and presented, and, and….” “Wait a minute, son. Who draws? Me. Who saves? Me. Did you reach out and do what I asked? If so, then you have done what I said and loved. Get over it and rejoice in Me.”
I often do just what I wrote above. I forget that evangelism and Election are hand in hand. And I neglect to react in love.
The “dear lady” needed reminder from John. So do I.
Prayer: Father, being thankful in everything is a difficult choice to make reflexively. Help me train myself to do just that. AMEN.