The Vineyard Church

Do you find it difficult to love someone who doesn’t like you? I do.

Today’s readings come from three letters. Each is only one chapter long. 2 John echoes the theme found in 1 John of loving one another. It’s worth noting that this theme of loving one another is not merely a creed, words to live by, or simply a suggestion for how to live our lives as believers. It is God’s heart, and is central to the Christian life. In the Gospel of John, last week we read, “My command is this, that you love one another,” John 15:12.

Love sets us apart from the world. It is the mark of a believer…or it should be. The works we do that flow from that love validate our faith. Jesus said it’s easy to love those who love you…but to arrive at a place where we can love our enemies is the goal. That makes a statement to the world around us when we can do that.

And it’s not easy…

John warns against false teaching that denies Jesus. His encouragement was to hang on to the truth and to be wary of those who teach otherwise.

3 John returns to his theme from 1 John about walking in the truth…that he had “no greater joy” than to hear that people were walking in the truth…the truth of who Jesus was, is and forever shall be.

Jude’s theme is persevering in the faith. Doing what is right is never easy, whether it is loving someone who is difficult or simply doing the right thing in any given situation. That takes perseverance! (We also read a few days ago in James 5, “We consider blessed those who have persevered.”)

I translate the word perseverance in a simple phrase…“Hang in there!”

Scott Sliver