Day 312 – 2 John – Introduction
“Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.” 2 John 1:6 NLT
Truth and love are frequently discussed but seldom practiced. People conveniently ignore or conceal facts and use misleading words to enhance their positions or sell their point of view. Perjury is common, and integrity and credibility are endangered species. Words, twisted in meaning and torn from context, often become mere tools for ego-building and pride. It is not surprising that we have to be bound by oath to tell the truth.
And what about love? Our world is filled with popular songs, greeting cards, media counsellors, and romantic novels bombarding us with notions and dreams of ethereal, idyllic relationships and feelings. Real love, however, is scarce: selfless giving, caring, and sharing. We yearn to love and to be loved, but we see few living examples of real, unconditional love.
Christ is the antithesis of society’s prevailing values (falsehood and self-centeredness) for He is truth and love in person. All who claim loyalty to Him must be committed to these ideals (following the truth and living the truth, reflecting love and acting with love toward one another).
John had seen Truth and Love firsthand. So affected was this apostle that all his writings, from the Gospel to Revelation, are filled with this theme. Truth and love are not only vital to the Christian but also inseparable from living a Christ-centred life.
Prayer: Lord, help us to seek truth and love in everything we do, and that it is parallel with the Truth and Love who is Jesus. May we reflect Jesus to the world and guide them with truth and love to Your Kingdom. Amen.
