December 18 - II John, III John, and Jude
Reading these three letters reminds me of reading the Christmas cards we have been receiving. Each one is unique, but there is a common theme that runs through most of them. These three letters have a vital truth for all of us. John calls it "walking in the truth." Jude calls it "contending for the faith." They mean essentially the same thing. These are personal letters, even though, they are inspired letters. In each one the Lord wants the recipients to understand that it really makes a difference what we believe. What we believe determines how we act. It is a chain reaction that goes on every day.
II John 4 says that John greatly rejoiced to find some Christians walking in the truth. The implication is that all of them were not walking in the truth. Some were walking in their own truth, but not God's truth. Remember, Jesus is the Truth. (John 14:6) Therefore, to live in right relation to Jesus, we must live in the truth. Our minds must be oriented correctly along with our hearts, so that we operate according to God's truth. This is the only way to have full joy. III John 4 says it plainly, too. John had no greater joy than to see Christians walking in the truth. Why? Because he had seen the destruction of walking in error and falsehood. He even gives the example of Diotrephes. In a few verses he summarizes the pain and discord brought on by one person who was not walking in the truth. Just think of a whole group walking in error and how that results in pain for some many people who are connected with them. Therefore, we must be diligent to know the truth and to live by it.
Jude warns us that false teachers lead people from the truth, so we must stand against them and their teaching. However, he adds that we must all build ourselves up in the faith. (v.20) We must keep praying and loving each other. That amounts to walking in the truth as John defines it. It comes back to what I said about intentional growth from II Peter. We must take great care to insure that our hearts and minds operate according to God's truth each day, or we will cause great destruction and pain to ourselves and those around us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Revelation 1-5.
II John 4 says that John greatly rejoiced to find some Christians walking in the truth. The implication is that all of them were not walking in the truth. Some were walking in their own truth, but not God's truth. Remember, Jesus is the Truth. (John 14:6) Therefore, to live in right relation to Jesus, we must live in the truth. Our minds must be oriented correctly along with our hearts, so that we operate according to God's truth. This is the only way to have full joy. III John 4 says it plainly, too. John had no greater joy than to see Christians walking in the truth. Why? Because he had seen the destruction of walking in error and falsehood. He even gives the example of Diotrephes. In a few verses he summarizes the pain and discord brought on by one person who was not walking in the truth. Just think of a whole group walking in error and how that results in pain for some many people who are connected with them. Therefore, we must be diligent to know the truth and to live by it.
Jude warns us that false teachers lead people from the truth, so we must stand against them and their teaching. However, he adds that we must all build ourselves up in the faith. (v.20) We must keep praying and loving each other. That amounts to walking in the truth as John defines it. It comes back to what I said about intentional growth from II Peter. We must take great care to insure that our hearts and minds operate according to God's truth each day, or we will cause great destruction and pain to ourselves and those around us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Revelation 1-5.