Growing up in church I was that boy. I held a very high standard when it comes to governing other people’s lives, but not myself. About ten years ago, I had to commit myself to responding in grace, rather by law. I first imposed that on me. Life in Christ, became revolutionary. Instead of rebuking other believers on how to live, I responded in grace. With the unbelief, I desired to serve them and share the Gospel. I had a transformational experience! 2 John starts similar to all New Testament letters. It does have a greeting, a body, words of advice, and timely ending. At first it may seem John is writing to a lady in waiting and her family. However, the lady represented here is a church and the body. He refers to himself as an elder. This is typical as John commonly uses family metaphor to draw the his readership in. (vv.1-2) John edifies the family first, addressing the growth of the children who are and have walked in the truth. (v.4) He reiterates like 1 John, that they “love one another” and “walk according to His commands.” (v.6) But a warning against deceivers, the deception from antichrists seem to be a big problem. Furthermore, he tells them to “watch yourselves”, because of the loss they would suffer if they do not follow in Christ and not have God. (vv.8-11) These words become important to their faith in Christ. The commands of “love one another” and “walk according to His command” are a good combination of grace and obedience, law and grace, and spirit and truth. Frequently, as believers, we disconnect the two, blaming it too much on legalism (no grace) or not enough on antinomianism (no law). A fine balance of accepting grace and walking by His commands is a good reminder of one’s faithfulness. You should love all the more by the grace you have been given. #godlylegacy “Biblical orthodoxy without compassion is surely the ugliest thing in the world.” –Francis Schaeffer
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 14:59:14 +0000
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