2 John
2 John 1:1-13
1 The Elder, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth,
2 because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever:
3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4 I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.
5 And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.
6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him;
11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.
12 Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
13 The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.
There is loving people that comes from a physical attraction. There is loving people that comes from being drawn to their personality and charisma. But, there is a love that comes from a truth that resides on the inside from an encounter with the One who loved us when we were none of those things that could naturally be loved. It’s a love that greatly acknowledges all of the beauty and ability but is based on something much more substantial: the nature and life of God that has judged us worthy to be embraced before we’ve done anything to deserve it. This love John is expressing for this woman and her children is not an invitation to a romance but an acknowledgment of what has bound them together in Christ and owning the reality that it is God’s love residing on the inside.
When receiving this direction from the heart of God, it is important to emphasize that it is essential and required for any access to and identity with the Father. To entertain and fellowship with any notion other than God’s perfect love is to depart from the reward that only comes from remaining true to this inner truth. Any doctrine or teaching that is legitimate and worthy of acceptance must have this love as its purpose and goal. It must be the reason for its imparting.
What an incredible encounter we’ve had with the loving heart of the Father. How great it is to not only encounter it but respond to His love by allowing it to abide inside and guide every movement and notion. This means that it will not only have been received but imparted as well, and in this sharing will be its keeping.