2 John Part 1

Our fellowship with one another depends on truth, and that truth is Jesus.

John shows a great sense of community just like he did in 3 John, another short letter to another believer.

2 John 1-2 The elder,
To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth - ²because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:

John loves the chosen lady and her children in the truth, who is Jesus. All who know the truth love her and her children. Jesus allows us to love one another in him, which is the purest form of love that humans are capable of, guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit of God.

Since Jesus will be with us forever, we will be able to share this kind of love with other believers for all eternity. It would do us good to practice it now. Practice extraordinary love toward other believers, something that goes beyond your natural self.

2 John 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.

John does not just wish grace, mercy, and peace to the readers of the letter, he states that it will be with us in truth and love, in Jesus himself. May we each live each day rich in this knowledge that we have grace, mercy, and peace from God himself!

3 John

Jesus values community among fellow believers.

3 John 3-4 It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. ⁴I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

This is a short letter from the apostle John to his friend Gaius. I get a great sense of community among believers at that time and the importance of community among believers in Christ.

John is encouraged by his friend’s faithfulness. The only reason John knew about Gaius’ faithfulness was because a group of believers that knew both of them told John about Gaius’ faithfulness. So we need to walk in the truth not only for ourselves, but for other Christians who struggle to do the same in an evil world. It is encouraging to know that we are in this together.

3 John 7-8 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. ⁸We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.

John also says that it is important to provide ‘hospitality’ to brothers doing the Lord’s work. We need to provide what another believer needs who is working to spread the Gospel. Once again we are in this together.

John also points out in vv 9-10 a man who is trying to destroy their sense of community and plans on confronting the man about it. Those who seek to destroy a community of believers are dangerous and should be dealt with firmly.

He also wants to see them in person, not just write to them. There is just something about spending quality time with friends and fellow believers that is very encouraging and uplifting.

3 John can be related to Paul's description of the 'Body of Christ' in 1 Corinthians 12, where Paul compares the church to the parts of a human body working closely together. Paul’s main point is the interdependence within the church and the importance of each individual person or part carrying out their unique role. John’s letter illustrates the same point in a different way. Paul’s description of the church has more of a philosophical textbook feel while John’s letter shows how Paul’s description of the Body of Christ needs to be lived out. So no more debates on whether you’re a spleen or an aorta! You are an important person in the church, but no more important than anyone else.

Jude Part 2

He will keep you from falling.

Where in your life do you fear falling? He can keep you from it if you trust him. This is what I need from Jesus right now, for him to keep me from falling. This verse says that he is able, but he is also willing!

Jude 24-25 To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— ²⁵to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Jude Part 1

A Friend and a Brother

Jesus had two brothers that we read about, Jude and James. These two called him Lord and God as well. What would it have been like to live with Jesus on earth as a brother? Do we as Christians now have that same privilege? Romans 8:29 says that Jesus is the firstborn among many brothers.

Romans 8:29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

I often hesitate to think of Jesus this way since he is God. I believe it is in our nature as humans to struggle with this personal and intimate nature of God revealed in Jesus Christ. How can someone who is Creator and Master of the universe be our friend and brother?

Jesus also said that we can be his friend. He called Lazarus his friend in John 11:11. Jesus said specifically that he died for his friends.

John 15:13-15 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴You are my friends if you do what I command. ¹⁵I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

The greatest love ever shown you was that your friend died for you. If you are a believer and a Christian, then Jesus is your friend, and you are his friend. You have had a friend die for you- the best person you’ve ever known- your very favorite friend has died for you.