SCRIPTURE: 2 John 1, 3 John 1
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4)
Not just believing the truth, but walking in it, living out the love that it is all about.
Compare with his frustration with Diotrophes and the church as a whole:
“I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church. (3 John 1:9-10)
The church, under the leadership of Pastor (?) Diotrophes, has become divisive and exclusionary.
Sad to say, but this church and pastor sounds like other churches and pastors I know.
If believers walking in the truth brings joy, what must churches like this bring?
How the Lord must look at many churches and feel a deep, sad pain for His chiildren.
John stresses that the key to living the Jesus life is loving people – actively and self-sacrificially.
He commends the lady that he writes to for her gracious, loving hospitality, even to strangers.
Do I bring joy to the Lord for how I “walk in the truth”, ie how I live out my faith in love?
Does our church bring joy to God’s heart for how we graciously welcome and bless people, even strangers?
We may have differences and debates about doctrines and traditions.
But may we live out the love that stands at the center of Jesus community: Jesus kind of love!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I am afraid that many of our churches are like Diotrophe’s church. Places of division and exclusion. Show us our hearts, and show us Your heart, that we may be more like You.