2 John 1

2 John 1
¹ The elder,

To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth —and not I only, but also all who know the truth — ² because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:

We get to read someones mail.  Yes all of the books of the Bible are letters, but this letter is believed to be a personal letter.  A real woman with real children and a real sister.  However the truths here apply to all of us who believe.

³ Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

 

Imagine a church that was able to practice grace and mercy along with God's peace.  I know that is out goal as Christians and all churches attempt this with differing degrees of success.  The world would take note of a church like this.

⁴ It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. ⁵ 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. ⁶ 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.

John continues his exhortation to love one another.  We all need to be reminded now and then.

⁷ I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. ⁸ Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. ⁹ Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. ¹¹ Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.

We need to chose sides.  Deceivers are all over the place.  We're not to assist them in any way.

¹² I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

¹³ The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings.

God Bless.