Remain in Love

~~~ 2 John 4-9 ~~~ Psalm 119 ~~~ Luke 17:26-37 ~~~

 

John's second letter is confirming that what they have known

 and believed from the beginning is in fact

THE greatest and most important.

Loving one another is of utmost importance.

 

"...For this is love, that we walk according to his commandments;
this is the commandment, as you heard from the beginning,
in which you should walk..."

It is not surprising to me that we are

so often reminded in the scriptures about this

command to love one another.

Jesus wants us to love one another as he loves us.

This is much more difficult to put into practice.

We find it hard to love as Jesus loved.

He had extraordinary kindness, compassion, and mercy.

While we may covet these characteristics we rarely can apply them

to our everyday lives.

 

But rather than beating ourselves up for not loving better, we must

continue to renew our conviction to do better.

We can love better starting now...today.

The greatest love is of course when one lays down their life for another.

 

We have many examples of such great love among our military...

our fire fighters...

and our missionaries...to name just a few.

 

 

John warns this community...

"...Anyone who is so "progressive"
as not to remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God..."

 

I find it interesting that the word 'progressive' is used here.

Even during the time of this letter some were coming

forward with a different message...

a message contradictory from the message of Jesus.

He is telling them that they have the true commandment

from God and need not listen to those who speak otherwise.

 

The psalmist emphasizes holding on to what you have.

 

 "...Within my heart I treasure your promise,
that I may not sin against you....

...Open my eyes, that I may consider
the wonders of your law."

 

That which you treasure will be held close to your heart.

 

Praying to God asking him to keep us faithful to his word

is not a sign of weakness, but rather one of humility.

It is only on God that we can rely to keep us strong in our convictions.

It is only through his grace that we can weed out those who

want us to waiver from our beliefs in the commandments.

 

We are living in this troubled world but we should not be contributing

to the corruption of the world.

 

If we are to lose our life let it be given out of love...

nothing less.

If we are living a life of love then we have no worries

when the Lord comes to take us home.

So whatever you are doing right now let it be with love.

There is nothing greater.