Hope in the Storm: Daily Reflections on God’s Faithfulness

SUNDAY, 23 JUNE 2024

TEXT: 2 John 1-13

1: The elder, To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth—

2: because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:

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.

4: It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.

5: And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.

6: And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

7: I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.

8: Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.

9: Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

10: If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them.

11: Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.

12: I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

13: The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings.

(New International Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: TRUE MARKS OF A BELIEVER

A true believer is identified by the truth and love he or she teaches and shows to both believers and unbelievers.

It has been established that there was a time when, once a believer attests to something, no second witness was required. But it is no more like that today, especially in Africa.

That is why the quality of Christianity we see in Africa doesn't bring godliness to governance, marketplaces, communities, the streets, etc.

John's message from verses 4-6 is an indictment on the church in Africa. This challenges us to return to the same truth the Father commanded through the apostles and sends out even today through the faithful men and women He has called to serve.

This is the solution to the internal rivalries and conflicts we find in churches and across denominations.

We must return to walking in the truth as enshrined in the Holy Scriptures and demonstrate this in our love for one another.

QUESTION: Is your life characterized by the truth of the Word of God?

PRAYER: I rededicate my life to feeding daily on the truth of the Word of God, in Jesus name. Amen.