Scripture Read: 2 John 1-6 The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 for the sake of the truth which 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 Son of the Father, in truth and love. 4 I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father. 5 Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
Application: Why do so many books of the Bible repeat some of the same teachings? Does that show a poorly written book, or, perhaps, it exposes the problem of us, the readers. It is important to notes that throughout the scriptures the writers repeat again and again truths that we should already know. Why? It proves that our hearts are fickle and for God’s principles to take hold we must continue to immerse ourselves into them – that is why we need to hear again and again the foundations of our faith. The history of the world and the Church stand as proof of that. So here John reminds the church to go back to her basic roots of all the commandments God has given the church. John emphasizes our need to love one another, even the world embraces the “golden rule” which is built on love. What is interesting is that truth and love are mentioned so many times throughout the Word. Many would believe that “truth” would be emphasized more, but the opposite is true. Love is found 529 times in the entire Bible, truth is found 206 times – over 2 to 1. John in his writings also talks so much about truth and love, and in the gospel of John and his 3 epistles the ratio is almost the same. Love used 110 times, truth is found 46 times. As we ponder this we must ask ourselves why would this be? It is clear it is because of the essence of each word. Truth is Truth – no matter what emotions are present. But love can be affected so easily by human emotions. We can hold it back because of anger, we can refuse tough love because we want to be liked. With truth you either accept it or reject it. Your emotions cannot change what it is. With love – even though in it’s essence it is a commitment, not an emotion, it is communicated through emotion. Due to that Father, You had to emphasize it because our emotions are affected by sin so much. We need Your enablement to express love the way You do. In the end these two words are tied together. There is no real love absent of truth – but Truth has it’s foundation in Your love! Teach us Oh Lord to love in truth!
* Meditation Questions: How much do I allow my emotions to affect what I believe? What I do? Do I have to “feel” love to express it? Do I have to agree or fully understand “truth” to stand on it? Do I allow my emotions to manipulate truth? Do I think I can love and live in a lie?
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