WALK IN THE TRUTH In 1 John, the teaching of half-truths was minimizing the death of Jesus and rebuffing God’s plan of salvation. The church had to be reminded that if they were not following the gospel, they did not have a relationship with Christ. The only way to have that relationship was to follow the path of sacrificial love to a cross, stained with the blood of Jesus to cleanse our sin. 2 John continues the same message with additional warning: Stop socializing with those in your midst who downplay the humanity of Christ. They’re abusing your hospitality. You’re becoming like them--the Gnostics-- who pollute the Word of God. Why is John so strict? Because the tactics of the heretics were working. He loved them and was afraid for their souls. He’s saying, “Just because the teachers say something doesn’t make it true. You have already been given the truth. It’s been passed down to you by the apostles, those who had first-hand knowledge of Christ: those who walked and talked with him; those who lived and died for him. Don’t turn away from what you have been taught. Don’t stray. Be obedient.” And then imagine someone challenging the authority of the elder over the church, and refusing the messages he sends from the Word of God. That’s the situation in 3rd John. It’s like a modern-day combination “thinking of you/thank you” card. John’s messengers were instructed not to accept the hospitality of the false teachers, but to rely solely on the kindness of the faithful. His letter expresses gratitude to those who are obedient and promises to address those who have spread lies within the body of Christ when he arrives. Now, think about how difficult it is to literally walk in darkness. Walking is good exercise, but we walk with lights on. Otherwise, we risk hurting ourselves by running into furniture, bumping our knees, stumping our toes and falling. That’s true for physically walking in darkness. Think of how much more dangerous it is to walk in spiritual darkness! Not just our bodies, but our souls, and eternity are at stake. The season of Lent gives us an opportunity to examine our spiritual walk with Christ. How are you doing? Moving forward? Standing still? Backsliding? Are you closer to or farther away from his holiness than you were this time last year? More like Jesus, the same, or less? Do the people you live with, go to school with, work with know you are a Christian? Or do you talk and behave in a manner that resembles non-Christians? How are you coming along with your vow to fast and pray? Concerning the Lenten cards, 94 were turned in; 74 of us agreed to fast and pray for greater unity and love in our church. Did you bring your sins to the cross and leave them there? Are you worshiping faithfully? What about those bad habits? What are you doing with the money you normally spend on your habits or activities? Are you giving what you save to the church or to help someone else? At the end of Lent, April 7, we should see positive results in how we think, feel and treat God and one another. As we honor the sacrifices of Jesus, God will honor our sacrifices. Jesus physically walked on the earth. It’s a fact, it’s history, it’s real. He loved us so much he left heaven to be with us, to provide direct knowledge of God’s kingdom, and to leave instructions on how to join him there. These 3 short letters of John remind us of The Gospel of John, chapter 14, verse 6 where Jesus says, “I AM the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” On this second Sunday in Lent, may we all walk more closely with him. Amen. |