2 John “Walk In Truth And Love”

“This is love, that we walk according to His commandments (truth). This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it (Love). And this is love, that we walk after His commandments.” (v.5-6)

Truth and Love are essential in our walk as Christians. Here in today's reading, John commends the “elect lady” for walking in the truth (v.4), but he reminds her of the command to love (vv.5-6).

Truth without love can make a person harsh, aloof, and unapproachable. Many churches are dogmatic in truth but lack love and grace. They do not experience truth; they just assert it. They are sound in doctrine, but sound asleep in in love and grace. The Pharisees of 2000 years ago believed their Bible, but they were dead to a vital walk with God. Walking in the truth is more than believing the truth. It is practicing the truth and this involves loving one another. 

On the other hand, love without truth is just as dangerous. It can allow problems to grow unchecked, take root in the church, and in our lives. A believer who truly loves, walks “in the truth”, and as proof that he/she loves God, will keep His commandments.

Jesus said, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:10).

Walking by truth alone can be as dry as pine straw. It is “Love” that makes obedience light. Keeping God’s will out of a sense of duty or obligation and with little love for God, is not true love. True love is a response to God from the heart, and obedience follows. 

Therefore, "walk in truth" and “love one another" even as Christ loved you and gave His life for you.

The Truth: “He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (John 14:21)

1 John 5 “Eternal Life Through Jesus”

 "He that believes on the Son of God has a witness in himself. And this is the record, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” (vv.10-11)

The theme of life is central to all of John's writing, including his Gospel and his letters. In them, life is always identified with Jesus. Jesus Himself is the life (1 John 5:20; John 14:6). To “have Jesus” is to be in-dwelt by His Spirit, where God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit make their home in us as believers (John 14:23).

Here in chapter 5, verses 10 and 11 mention two gifts from God given to us as believers. First, His Spirit (the witness in us) of the testimony about His Son (Jesus), and second, that through Him (Jesus), God gives eternal life.

Life itself can often feel like observing a live sporting event. There are shocks and surprises, frustrations and fears, even sometimes a bit of anxiety, because we are unsure of the outcome. Every follower of Jesus (at some point in life) will experience moments just like that. Even to the point of questioning the certainty of eternal life.

But John writes to establish for us an unquestionable confidence: “So that we may know we have eternal life” (v. 13). This assurance does not come from a feeling or state of being, but results from belief in the reality of God's gift in Jesus, confirmed in His life, death, resurrection, and sealed to us by the comforter, His Spirit.

Yes life may present us with surprises along the way, but because of Christ’s finished work on the cross, and His resurrection from the grave, we can have His peace, for He has already settled our eternal outcome.

The Truth: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and not of yourselves. It is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)

1 John 4 “God Is Love”

“God is love; and he that lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” (v.16)

Have you ever seen a person whose countenance was so joyful that you were attracted to them because they seemed to have no worries at all? Love can give one such an extreme confidence and self-security in their life, that it just bubbles over into others. Here in chapter 4 John is describing living in that kind of love, God’s perfect love.

Living in the love of God means we are confident of His love for us. So confident, that no matter what comes our way in this life, we know our loving heavenly Father (who’s Spirit is in us), has only our best interest in mind. John tells us, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out all fear” (v.18). Meaning, when you are sure of God’s love for you, you don’t have to fear. Oh you can chose to fear, fret, doubt, even despair, but that usually comes when we take our minds off of God’s perfect love for us, which He demonstrated at Calvary's cross.

Therefore, keep your mind stayed on Him, do not give any quarter of your heart to doubt, and He will give you His perfect peace. 

The Truth: “God will keep those in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him’ (Isaiah 26:3).

1 John 3 “Everlasting Life”

“He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God stays on him.” (v.36)

The major topic of chapter 3 is the kingdom of God. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, came to Jesus by night, voiced his recognition of God’s power residing in Jesus by saying, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do the signs that You do unless God is with Him" (v.2). Nicodemus here seemed more interested in the power Jesus had displayed in performing miracles, than in who Jesus actually was. 

But Jesus instead of engaging Nicodemus in a conversation about His power, chose to speak to him about the kingdom of God saying, "Unless one is born of water and the spirit, he can not enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I say to you, 'You must be born again' (vv.5-7).

The gospel is that simple, one must be born into the spirit go God by accepting His Son, not because He can do powerful miracles, but because of who He died and rose again, that He is seated at the right hand of the Father, and is preparing a place for us in His kingdom forever.

The Truth: ”For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

1 John 2 “The Atoning Sacrifice”

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense - Jesus Christ, The Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (vv.1-2)

Here the apostle John is admonishing the church not to sin. However, he also tells his readers that when they falter and give into their sinful nature, Jesus Christ, The Righteous One, stands in there (our) defense, and not just for them, but for the entire world.

Jesus himself in speaking on the subject of forgiveness said, “Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven” (Matthew 12:31). Meaning, one can not continue to deny the calling of the Holy Spirit speaking to one’s heart to come to come Jesus, and expect to find salvation. John speaking on the subject of knowing God wrote, “The man who declares to know God, but does not follow His commandments is hence forth a liar and truth does not live in him” (v.4).

Many people today claim to be Christians, but the love of God and the Word of God are not evident in their lives. Others, flat out deny Him. And because both have not accepted Jesus as LORD of their lives, they are not considered His children and His mercy does not apply. This is not because He is not willing that all should be saved, but because some men love darkness rather than light, while others want to remain of the world and not set themselves apart from it. In either case, not admitting their need for a savior.

John then goes on to say, to those who are obedient to His word, God's love is truly made complete in them (v.5), and they will walk as Jesus did (v.6), as children of the light, for His Spirit lives in them. Then, when they stumble, He will be there as an Advocate to the Father, interceding with His righteousness, and blotting out their sins.

All one needs to do to be a part of His family, His grace, His forgiveness, is to call upon the name of the Lord, confess you are a sinner in need of salvation, ask Him to rule and reign in your heart and life, and He will send His Spirit to live within you and guide you into all truth.

Hallelujah! What a savior.

The Truth: "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)

1 John 1 “The Blood Of Christ Restores”

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (v.9)

John Steinbeck once observed that failure is often a catalyst for spiritual growth. “If everything is coming your way,” he wrote, “you are probably in the wrong lane. Adversity and defeat are more conducive to spiritual growth, than prosperity and victory.” But what if the defeat we experience, involves more than a setback in our circumstances? What if we have experienced defeat because of our own sin?

The Bible is filled with stories of people whose mistakes and failures, were redeemed by God. Consider Jacob the deceiver, Judah the father of an illegitimate child, David the adulterer, and Rahab the prostitute, which even appear in the lineage of Jesus (Matt. 1:2–5). Peter denied Jesus three times, and Thomas questioned whether Jesus had truly risen from the dead. Paul persecuted the church. And yet, all of these were used by God, despite their past failings.

What restores us, cleanses us, brings us back into fellowship with Him despite our failures? The blood of Jesus Christ. Therefore go boldly before the throne of grace, confess your sin before our God, and He promises to forgive and restore (Romans 8:1-4). We can’t cleanse our own hearts; only God can do that. If we confess our sins to Him, He promises to make us totally clean! 

The Truth: “Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin." (Psalm 51:2)

2 Peter 3 “He Shall Return”

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (v.9)

Verses 1-9 of this chapter cover the subject of the Lord and His delayed return. Early in this first section Peter is reminding the brethren that the prophets, the apostles, and even Jesus himself said, “in the last days there shall come scoffers saying, where is the promise of his coming” (vv.1-4)? 

He then goes on to remind the brethren that there was another time in human history when men scoffed, during the time of Noah (vv.5-6). Day after day while he was constructing the Ark, Noah heard the voices of the scoffers (for over 100 years), then came the rain, and the skeptic voices changed to pleas for help - not spiritual salvation mind you (for they were not desiring to save their souls), but physical salvation from the flood. In that regard there was nothing Noah could do, for the appointed time had come and God closed and sealed the Ark doors. 

Today God is still patiently waiting, just like the time given man before the catastrophic flood of Noah’s day, delaying His second coming - giving man time to repent again, for He is not willing that any should perish. However, just as the days of Noah, their is an appointed time when His long-suffering toward man will end. 

Peter then goes on to encourage the brethren that even through the waiting God is still in control (v.7), and waits in a realm where a day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (v.8). I thank God for His long-suffering, for without it, I would have been among the scoffers. Now I pray for His grace to continue for yet a little while longer, so others might be brought into His arms of love and salvation, for in heavenly time, the “Return of the King” is not far off.

The Truth: "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

2 Peter 2 “The LORD Will Deliver The Godly”

“The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.” (v.9)

Chapter 2 has been described as both a warning and an encouragement by Peter to those he cares about. He warns concerning; false teachers, and the bringing of damnable heresies that deny the Lord (vv.1-2), he warns against those who would make merchandise of God’s people (v.3), against those who live ungodly lives and walk after the flesh (vv.5-6), against those who despise government, and speak evil of dignitaries (v.10), and he warns of the judgment that awaits those who partake of theses things. And when we look at these warnings listed in verses 1-10, one can'y help but see the correlation to what is going on all around us today. 

But, Peter also encourages his flock that God knows how to deliver the Godly out of temptations, out of judgment, and out of destruction, as He did with Lot and his family, and Noah and his family (vv.5-6). And I believe, along with many others, this also speaks to how God will deliver His church (in the Rapture) from the great tribulation described in Revelation 6-19. Then, as in times past, “He will pour out His wrath, and the unjust shall be punished.”  

Therefore, rest in this, God will always take care of His people. He knows how to deliver.

The Truth: "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

2 Peter 1 “Peter Cautions His Followers ”

“Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (vv.10-11)

Here Peter is encouraging the Jewish Christians throughout Asia Minor that by doing these things spoken of earlier in 2 Peter 1:5-7 (faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love), they make their calling and election sure and keep themselves from stumbling. As we see these things in our life, we know that our lives are becoming more like the nature of Jesus. It shows that we are being conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).

Peter also reminded his readers here of the great reward of a calling and election made sure. They would enter heaven gloriously, not as through fire (1 Corinthians 3:15).

F.B. Meyer wrote, “There are two ways of entering a port. A ship may come in, waterlogged and crazy, just keep afloat by continual working at the pumps; or it may enter with every sail set, her pennon floating at the mast-head. The latter is what the apostle desires for himself and those whom he addresses. He desired that an entrance abundant should be ministered unto them.” 

Meyer also wrote that the idea of an “abundant entrance” was really a choral entrance. The idea was of a Roman conqueror coming into his city, welcomed by singers and musicians who would join him in a glorious, happy procession into the city. 

That raises the question, How will our entrance into heaven be? Will we enter it, “save so as by fire,” or to receive a reward? Will we come unrecognized and unknown, or be welcomed by scores and hundreds to whom we have been the means of blessing? Something to think about.

I for one do not want to enter those gates smoldering. 

The Truth: “If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:15 - NKJV) 

1 Peter 5 “The Marks Of A True Shepherd”

“Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, to shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” (vv.1-4) 

What are the marks of a true shepherd? Our text describes four - attitude, purpose, manner, and accountability. True shepherds do their work with an attitude of willingness, not out of a sense of obligation (v. 2a). Second, the true shepherd's purpose is to serve others, rather than leading in order to serve one's own needs (v. 2b). Third, we see that a true leader does not “lord it over” others, seeking power and authority; rather, they offer a humble “example to the flock” (v. 3). And finally, a true shepherd of God's flock will always remember that there is a Chief Shepherd to whom they are accountable as well (v.4). 

Ultimately, it is Christ's church, not ours. And Christ is the true Shepherd of His people. Therefore, any leader of Christ's church is only an under-shepherd (a steward) of that one great “Shepherd and Overseer of our souls” (1 Peter 2:25). 

May we all strive to follow this example, and when we fall short, humbly ask for His forgiveness.

The Truth: "Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)

1 Peter 4 “Christian Love”

“Keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (vv. 9-10)

What does true Christian love look like? It's a life of service. Scripture calls us to a life of deep love for others. Rather than seeking to expose the faults of others, we should strive to cover those faults with a generous forgiveness and a welcoming hospitality (vv. 8-9). Knowing we are loved and welcomed by God, we should in turn offer love and welcome to others.

Love is more than just feelings and forgiveness; it involves tangible actions as well. Whatever gifts we've been given (and Scripture says that each of us has some gift), we are to use them to serve others. Whether it be comforting words in a time of great need, or a anonymous gift in a time of hardship, our life should be an act of service that operates out of God's gifts to us, and for His glory (vv. 10-11). 

So while our days on this earth grow shorter every day, that knowledge should sharpen our focus on the things that matter most: honoring God by loving and serving one another.

The Truth: "Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” (Romans 12:9-13)

1 Peter 3 “God Sees All”

“For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (v. 12)

In our society today, why does wickedness seem destined to prevail? Does God not see all that rears its head in defiance of Him and those who live unrighteously? 

Our text says, "the face of the Lord is against them that do evil," implying that in due time their judgment will come. Psalm 103:9 tells us, "He will not always chide; neither will he keep his anger forever." Meaning, while this is still the age of grace, and He is still willing that none should perish, judgment is coming!

The major portion of our scripture reading for today it is a quotation from Psalm 34. In it the Psalmist had observed in his day just what the apostle was now seeing - that man's heart does not change from age to age, and is always trying to implement his own schemes and exclude his Creator. As a result, failure will always be written over the futile efforts of the human race to attain peace and happiness without God. 

Yet, out of the midst of man's flawed reasoning, God is calling people to His name. And for those willing to accept His call, there is the promise, "The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers.”

Therefore, be encouraged, stay the course, stand against injustice, and pray for those who are blinded by "false leadership." God sees all and He will not hold back His anger forever. 

The Truth: "He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor his anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. " (Psalm 103:9-12)

1 Peter 2 “Living Stones”

“You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (v.5)

In Peter’s description of the church, he describes people as “living stones” who are “built up as a spiritual house” with Jesus as the “cornerstone.” From Peter’s perspective, the church is not so much a physical building or even an institution, but people that God is developing and bringing together in Jesus.

It’s important to remember that what makes us as “living stones” fit together in a cohesive unit, is making sure that the cornerstone is in place. In the construction of a building, the cornerstone is set first in the foundation and all the other stones are positioned in reference to it. If the cornerstone is weak or not set in the right place, everything else in the building will be off.

I am so thankful that most churches are focused on, developing people who love and follow Jesus. In such a climate as this, it is vitally important that the church one calls home is built on the only foundation that can stand the test of time, Jesus. Then, we as “living stones” will be built up as a spiritual house, acceptable to God, with Jesus as our chief cornerstone able to support and develop growth. 

The Truth: "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22)