2 John 1:4-6
It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
Devotion
John now begins to unpack what it means to “walk in the truth.” In the first three verses we saw how important the truth concerning the person and work of Jesus was to the early church. Now, John instructs his readers to continue “walking in the truth” in obedience to God the Father. John then reminds his readers of the important commandment “to love one another.” In John’s mind, walking in the truth involves obedience to Jesus’ commandments to love God and love others (see Matthew 22:37-40).
As we saw in 1 John, love is the evidence of a heart that has been truly surrendered to Christ. Love is one of God’s most important attributes. It makes sense that those who are walking in the truth would reflect God’s character in this world. Love in a church must be nurtured and protected. In the Gospel of John, Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know you are my disciples if you love one another.”
So, walking in the truth includes walking in love! If we are walking in the truth of Jesus, then it will be evident by the way that we love one another. So, walking in the truth involves obedience to Jesus’ commands and reflecting His attributes for all the world to see.
When John writes of love, he is not writing about sentimental affection. John uses the word agape, which means “to value” or “to hold in high esteem.” This word is typically used to describe God’s love toward us. God values or loves us because we are His creation. God values or loves us because we are made in His image. This is the kind of love we are to strive for. So, love in this context is a conscious choice to love or value others as God values or loves them. This kind of love comes with an ethical expectation.
In this post-truth culture, it is easy for a congregation to get off track. The truth concerning Jesus is constantly being challenged. It is tempting to fight fire with fire. Therefore, John reminds his readers of the priority of mutual love. How we communicate truth must always reflect the heart of Jesus. One of my favorite sayings in pastoral counseling is “speak the truth in love.” We must communicate the truth about Jesus in such a way that our listeners still feel loved or valued at the end of the conversation.
Questions to Ponder
Are you walking in the truth? Are you able to love or value your brothers and sisters in Christ? Do you find the command to love others burdensome? Are you reflecting the heart of the Father and the Son to those around you? Are you able to speak the truth in love?
Prayer Points
- Thank the Lord for His grace, mercy, peace, and love.
- Pray we will be ones who walk in the truth, and that His love will overflow from our lives.
- Pray for anyone you are struggling to love. Ask the Lord to give you His love for them.
- Ask the Lord to grant mutual love and encouragement today.
Suggested Prayer
Abba, I ask that Your love will abound in and through us all today. I ask that You would help each one of us to love, nurture, and care for those whom You have entrusted to us. Grant us words to sustain the weary. Give us words of wisdom, words of knowledge, love, comfort, and hope. Help us, Lord, to be Your servants. Remind us when we are not reflecting Your love. I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.