Greetings from love (2 John 1-3 Devotional)

1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:  3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

2 John 1-3

Verses 1-3 are the Apostle John’s “greetings of love”. As you get older, the things that you love are less and purer! The old Apostle John was the only one left alive among the Twelve Apostles. The Apostle John saw that the most precious thing on earth was the church, the brothers and sisters! Why did he love the church so much? Because he knew the truth that the church was the most valuable! This truth was not told to him by the kings of the earth, but by the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings! Jesus Christ, pursued by love,  was crucified for the church. So John knew that the most precious things on earth were the brothers and sisters, who the Lord loved and died for!

John was the elder of Ephesus at that time, and he had shepherded the church for decades. He saw many problems in the church, the persecution of the Roman Empire from outside, the false brothers within, the lost sheep of the church, and the rise of heresy and cults. The Apostle John did not condemn the church (lady), but greeted the church (lady) with love! And stressed that he himself and all who knew the truth would love the church and her children!

John of old ages still insisted on this truth, serving and greeting in love! Do we still see the preciousness of the church in the midst of all chaos and difficult issues? Are you still caring, greeting, and blessing your brothers and sisters?

A Song to Share:

Home Sweet Home

1. Tis the most pleasant home, the desire of God and man
Full of fragrance of love, songs of joy everywhere
A home of warmth and grace, overflowing rivers of joy
The peaceful dwelling place of God and man forever
Home sweet, sweet home
The hearts of God and man become one in this sweet home

---