The Truth | Daily Devotion
“This letter is from John, the elder. I am writing to the chosen lady and to her children, whom I love in the truth – as does everyone else who knows the truth – because the truth lives in us and will be with us forever. Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ – the Son of the Father – will continue to be with us who live in the truth and love.” 2 John 1-3 NLT
As the apostle John opens his letter, he states he is writing the letter to the chosen lady and to her children whom he loves in the truth. This woman was obviously known for her hospitality and generosity. She welcomed people into her home, took care of them, fed them and probably listened to their teaching.
We know from 3 John 6-7 that believers were exhorted to welcome traveling teachers into their homes in a manner that pleases God, as the teachers travel for the Lord.
Now, there are different interpretive challenges in regard to whom the letter was really addressed to – a specific woman or to a church and its members. Either way, we Christians know whether it’s our personal home or a church home we are to be hospitable to those who cross our path, while holding spiritual discernment founded in truth.
I love the apostle John’s pure love as he speaks of this woman or church, so to speak, stating “whom I love in the truth.” This is after he mentioned he was an elder, signifying his advanced age and respectful position in the church as an authority figure. The apostle John was not afraid to mention his genuine affection, thus concern – hence the letter warning of false teachers and how to handle them should she come across them.
A basis for Christian leadership mentality and behavior is love and truth – living like Christ Jesus, who is Love and Truth, for the benefit of the people so that they grow in their faith to maturity. And the apostle John displays this in his letter illustrating his own personal love and care for the people and the state of their soul and his knowledge of the truth of the false teachers.
So here, the apostle John is speaking to Christians, alive in Christ, with the truth of God living within them, assuring them the truth of Jesus Christ will be with them forever.
Pretty much saying, “You do not have to worry, the truth of Jesus Christ will be with you forever, but you do need to be on guard with spiritual discernment identifying false teaching.”
He closes his introduction with “grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ – the Son of the Father – will continue to be with us who live in the truth and love.”
God is the one who distributes grace, mercy, and peace and they are always available for those who live in the truth – to those who live in the light of Jesus Christ, who is Truth – to those who obey God’s commands and love God and love people.
Will you pray with me?
Abba, thank You for Your grace, mercy and peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
