11-22-24 part 1: Biblical truth guides the definition of LOVE
A) Jumping back into the second epistle by John, known as Second John, we pick it up at verse three, where John says, "Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father." John adds a caveat that grace, mercy, and peace will be with us in truth and in love. It’s interesting to note that truth precedes love at this point because it’s essential to understand that biblical love must be defined by truth, not by the world.
B) Here is a portion of the letter that we might find a little more disturbing when John says, "I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth," which perhaps means not all of your children. This suggests we can understand, as parents, why some of our kids say yes, some say maybe, and some say no. John’s focus was on those who were saying yes, and that made him glad.
C) Verse 5 presents an interesting twist because the apostle says, "I urge you, dear lady." Some people believe this refers to an individual woman, as we mentioned before. It’s possible because there are some indications of personalization in this process. Other scholars believe this is a generic term for the church at large, which is the bride of Christ. I’m the kind of person who thinks both interpretations sound great.
D) In the rest of verse 5, John shows that they need to operate in what is not a new commandment but one they’ve had from the beginning. This references John, chapter 13, verses 34 and 35, when Jesus said, "A new commandment I give you." It’s not new to John because 60 years later, the commandment remains the same one that Jesus gave: that we love one another as Jesus loved us.
Takeaways:
Grace, mercy, and peace are intertwined with truth and love, emphasizing that biblical love must be defined by the truth of God's Word rather than worldly standards. Truth serves as the foundation for genuine love.
John highlights the joy of seeing some "children" walking in truth, illustrating the reality of mixed responses to faith. This resonates with the parental experience of guiding children who make different choices in their spiritual journey.
The phrase "dear lady" in verse 5 has dual interpretations: it may address an individual woman or symbolize the church as the bride of Christ. Both perspectives offer meaningful insights into the personalization and collective message of John's letter.
The commandment to love one another is timeless. Although it was declared by Jesus as "new" in John 13, it remains foundational decades later, demonstrating the enduring call for believers to love as Christ loved.
John’s focus on truth, love, and obedience reminds us that following Christ is not about adopting new principles but about faithfully living out the unchanging commandments taught from the beginning.
