Tag: love one another

Day Seven: 3rd John

KJohnson09

I have officially been in this challenge for a week! So far it’s been hard but pretty rewarding. I’m seeing themes and connections in Scripture that I haven’t picked up on before and visited some books that I haven’t read in a long time! Mainly some of the prophets.

Today I wrapped up my first series of books 1st, 2nd and 3rd John. As I mentioned in my previous posts the first 2 books had a big emphasis on loving one another. It was repeated again and again.

The third book in the set builds off of that. Again John is writing to an individual a gentleman named Gaius. In verse 5 he commended him for caring for the traveling teachers who pass through saying that word of his “loving friendship” has reached the him.

Conversely, in verse 9 John tells of Diotrephes, who refuses to do the same. Diotrephes refuses to help any traveling teachers and when others in the church attempt to do so, he casts them out of the church. John encourages Gaius to continue in the work he is doing, and not to follow this bad example put forth by Diotrephes.

To me it seems like these two men are perfect examples of what John has talked about in his previous books. Love one another and do so in a way where people can tangibly see that love. Gaius is a living example of that teaching lived out, while Diotrephes gives a clear example of what not to do.

Tomorrow I will be heading to the book of Philemon and Saturday I have made sure to keep my schedule clear so I can finally tackle Psalms! See you tomorrow!

In Christ,

Karen

Day Six: 2nd John

KJohnson09

Welcome to Wednesday! I don’t know about your family, but for us Wednesday is always a pretty busy day, especially in the evenings when I normally wrap up my book of the day and write the blog post. So I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t rushing through the reading, or worse forgetting to do it!

2nd John is a neat book of only 13 verses. John is writing to “the chosen lady and to her children”, and he encourages her to do the same thing he laid out in 1st John- love one another. He also warns to be wary of those who teach that Jesus didn’t come in a real physical body- this a false doctrine and instead cling to the truth.

But my favorite verse was verse 4. It says:

“How happy I was to meet some of your children and find them living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded.”

I love it because this is the goal for me as a parent. Yes, I want my kids to be healthy, happy and safe. But even more I want them to know Jesus and to follow Him. I want them to find what God has called them to do and then go out and do it.

Even if that takes them to a place where I can’t see them daily, or where they might be in physical danger. Even if it’s my basement as they raise money for whatever God has appointed them to do. Even if I never see them married, or have grandchildren I want my kids to love God and obey Him.

In Christ,

Karen

Day Five: 1st John

KJohnson09

I’m going to lead off by saying that today was much easier than reading Isaiah yesterday. Obviously 1st John is a much shorter book, but additionally my day hasn’t been as rushed and I was able to take my time a little more. Almost right away this verse jumped out at me.

“Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:6 (NLT)

How utterly true. If we say we are Christians then we should live like Christ. Too often I fall short of this- anger where Jesus showed grace, pride where He was humble, or frustration instead of peace. And as you continue in this book it bring out our frailties as John reminds the reader to cling to righteousness and remember that we are called to let go of our sinful desires. He even encourages the reader to pray for other believers who are dealing with sin “that God will give that person life.” (1 Jn 5:16).

The other thing that is constantly repeated is to love one another. It is best summed up in chapter 3. Verse 18 says:

“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other, let us show the truth by our actions.”

It is not enough to simple say “I love you.” Our faith calls us to show that love to our brothers and sisters in Christ. How are we doing with that? What actions are we taking within the church body to love one another in such a way that we can see it happening? And more so does the world around us see it? If not, then we need to stop and find ways to show people we love them- and that Jesus does too.

I remember getting notes from friends in high school all the time- something taped to my locker or stuck inside on the shelf. One day my youth pastor stuck a note on it as he was walking through the halls- and these meant the world to me. I still have a lot of them, taped into a notebook for safekeeping. And I used to do this for people all the time- something I’ve strayed from as life has gone on. What is something you used to do, that maybe you’ve gotten lax in? Or what are ways you can step it up if you’re already doing well? Let me know in the comments below! Let’s encourage one another.

In Christ,

Karen