DEC 26

2 John
Memorise 2 John 5-6
“This is love, that we walk after his commandments”

While the main theme of 1 John can be summarised as the “Tests of a true Christian life”, the main theme of 2 John is the “Tests of the true Christian care.” After knowing and worshipping the incarnate God in the Lord Jesus Christ, the believer must manifest the love of our incarnate God, for this brings victory over the antichrist. Having known the truth, John insisted that true believers walk not only in the truth but also in love for one another. But realise that love is discriminating in that it does not receive and agree with those who compromise the faith. To these people, John instructs us that we do not receive them in our houses, neither bid them god speed. At the same time, John is careful to teach that we speak the truth in love. John’s message in 2 John 5 was not a new revelation. It was a reminder to keep walking in obedience to God’s truth by continuing to love one another. As we walk in the commandments of God, we must at the same time walk in love. It is so easy for us who are concerned about the doctrinal matters of Scripture to forsake the courtesy and charity that is expected of every Christian. We must be careful not to be offensive people. Though love should be bounded by truth, this does not mean that we stop being courteous and gracious. Ever more so because we know the truth, we must live out the truth by demonstrating to others what true Biblical love is. We must be careful in both our words and in our conduct that we show forth a good testimony for our Lord Jesus Christ. That is the idea that John sets before us.

Dear teen, are you able to strike a balance between standing for the truth and yet speaking the truth in love? If a brother is overtaken in a fault, or has strayed from the truth, are you able to gently restore that brother? It is not easy even for a mature Christian. But we must all try our best. Yet we cannot become rigid, narrow and say hateful things. We must try to be gentle and understanding. On the other hand, our love must not be so wide and tolerant that we become weak and feeble in the things of God, and compromise with those who attack the name of our Lord. We must be wise and know what true Christian care and discernment is all about, and practice love only in the truth.

Thought: Jesus is both full of grace and truth.
Prayer: Our gracious heavenly Father, as we desire to love Thee with all our hearts, mind and strength, may we also translate this in Christ- likeness in the way we treat one another.