Friday in the Seventh Week of Easter

2 John 1-13

Fellowship with One Another and the Commandments

We are almost at the end of the Easter Season, but we will take up Second and Third John before we close.  These are the two shortest “books” of the New Testament and therefore do not say as much as others.  But we must remember that they are still God’s word to us, and the Church has ever found strength and encouragement in them.

Second John is written to the “elect lady,” probably a way of referring to the church to which John is writing.  John calls himself “the elder,” referring to his pastoral role as an apostle.  The theme of the letter is “truth.”  John rejoices that some of the children of the elect lady are walking in the truth.  It is this truth that abides with us and will be with us forever.  Although he does not express exactly what that truth is, it appears that what he says in verse seven gives us a clue, along with what he wrote in his first letter, namely, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who came in the flesh.  This is the truth that the Church of Jesus Christ must abide in at all times if she will abide in Him.

But there is a further truth that comes from this letter.  He reminds the church of the commandment which was from the beginning – that they love one another.  We heard that from John in his first letter, numerous times.  But then he defines love somewhat differently from the way he defined love in the first letter.  In his first letter, love was defined as something God did (4:9-10).  But in this second letter, love is defined as something we do: “And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments.”  And what is that commandment?  We already said it: that we love one another.  Love is the fulfillment of all of God’s commandments (Romans 13:10).  To love one another is to be an obedient child of God, is to know the joy of walking with God.  It is in this way that the love of God is perfected in us (1 John 2:5).

John closes with words of warning for the church.  At that time, many roving evangelists were visiting the churches.  Churches generally gave hospitality to such men.  John warns them sternly not to entertain anyone who denies that Jesus came in the flesh.  Indeed, to do so would be to take part in their sin.  A stern warning it seems, but John would have us know that we must never even entertain the notion of compromising the gospel message, not even for the sake of hospitality.  We must guard this treasure with our lives, for the gospel is our life, the life of the Church.

Author: The Reformed Baptist

My name is Stephen Taylor, ordained Baptist minister of eighteen years pastoral experience with a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Better than that, I am married to a godly woman, Karla, who has been very patient with me since 1989. I have two daughters, both of whom I homeschooled for extended periods of time, who became godly young women, and who ran off and married godly young men, all of which is very proper. The oldest daughter has even seen fit to bless me with a grandson and a granddaughter, and my youngest daughter with a grandson, all three of whom are bundles of exceeding joy. As you can see, I am quite blessed. This website is dedicated to helping people grow in the wisdom and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through the gift of writing that the Lord has given to me. It is specifically about helping His people grow in godliness, the theme you see repeated above. I write devotions with this aim and hope that they might be of some help to God’s people. Full disclosure: I am of a Reformed bent, meaning that my understanding of Scripture is primarily informed by the Reformers and their successors of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. However, as a student of church history and theology, I strive to remain true to that teaching handed down once for all unto the saints through every age of the Church. I like to think of myself as a “catholic” Christian, as the Reformers thought of themselves. At any rate, feel free to read, pray, and contact me if you wish, or correct me if need be. As you can see, I tend to follow the church year. Of course, I make no special claims about these devotions. I know very well that others have written better and plumbed the depths of God’s word with greater insight. But if my musings help someone draw closer to the Lord, well then, I have my reward. Blessings to you and may the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ speak to you that word which He knows you especially need to hear. Grace & peace, Stephen Taylor View all posts by The Reformed Baptist