2 John 1–13 (NKJV)
1 The Elder, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, 2 because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 4 I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received a commandment from the Father. 5 And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. 6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. 9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. 12 Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. 13 The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.
This small letter of John deals with truth and love. Truth is vital because there are many deceivers in world who teach a different doctrine than Christ’s. Those who follow such teachings do not have God. The one who abides in the doctrine of Christ—the gospel purely taught—“has both the Father and the Son.” This recalls Jesus words from John 14:23, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” Abiding in the truth of the gospel—believing the gospel and loving God for the salvation He gives in the gospel—means God the Father and God the Son dwell in our hearts by faith.
Having God dwell in our hearts by faith, we love God and our neighbor. John reminds us to of the commandment to love one another because our sinful flesh is selfish and self-serving. The sin that dwells in us does all it can to thwart our love for one another and direct our love to ourselves. We need the continual reminder to love one another.
How do we love one another? “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments.” Each of the Ten Commandments show us what love for our neighbor is. We love others by helping them in every bodily need. We love our spouses by being chaste and giving our heart only to them. We love one another by helping others retain their property and income. We love one another by defending them and speaking well of them. We love one another by being content with what God has given us and helping others appreciate what God has given them. Within the Ten Commandments there are countless ways to love one another as they need. When we transgress the law of love, we confess our sins and receive God’s forgiveness, then return to our vocations with renewed love for those around us.
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, keep us in Christ’s doctrine and fill us with love for You and others. Amen.
