Hello Advent Family,

 

In many places in Scripture the church is referred to as the bride of Christ.  This concept was so prevalent that to this day we often refer to sister or daughter churches that were planted by other churches.  John goes as far as to address the book of 2 John to the lady.  Scholars believe this is the way he refers to the local congregation to which he is writing his letter. Let’s look together at his words to “the lady” which certainly are relevant for us today.

 

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: 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. 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. 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.

 

John reminds us as he does in 1 John the importance of living lives of love and obedience to God.  He particularly focuses on having love within the congregation for one another.  He also gives a warning against false teaching.  Many people were coming along and teaching things contrary to the gospel.  Others were simply adding on to Jesus’ message.  John is reminding everyone of the simple truth of the gospel and the power that love has in our lives.  When we live lives of love we live out the message of the gospel.  My prayer is that this lady (the people of Advent) does that well.

 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave