February 17, 2016
Scripture Reading: 2 John 4; 1 John 3:23
4It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.
23And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.
Questions for Reflection:
John begins this verse by celebrating the fact that there are still some that are “walking in the truth.” John’s church has been ripped in two. A large number of the church have left. Have you ever led a group or team that split a part? How did you feel? How did it impact you emotionally? Did it impact you physically as well?
A few years ago, I watched a group of people that I cared deeply for fall apart. One by one, in groups of two or three, whole families made decisions to part company with each other. I was sick to my stomach. There were days where my appetite was not existent. I felt like David when he cried out to God, “How long O Lord?” It was a rough season. John has probably been through a similar experience. What has brought him joy is to find a remnant, a group of people that were still connected to the community, living out their faith together.
Stephen Smalley in his commentary says “the phrase ‘[walking] in truth’ means ‘living the true life,’ a life committed to God’s truth revealed in Jesus and expressed in obedience.” John always takes the church back to the command from the Father. How did he express that command in 1 John 3:23? As we said yesterday, for John, it is all about Jesus. Our belief, our ability to walk in truth, boils down to two key issues: do you love Jesus? do you love one another? If you are not doing both those things, you’ve missed the mark? Why is it essential to act in both of those areas? What is the result if you love Jesus but not one another? Have you seen anyone doing that before? What was the impact of their life? What is the result of loving others, but not loving Jesus? Have you witnessed this approach in action? What’s the struggle with this approach? Finally, evaluate your life. How are you doing at loving Jesus, obeying His commands? How are you doing at loving one another? If there is an area of weakness, take some time to pray and ask God to shore up your weaknesses as you grow to rely on Him.