Walk in Love

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Walk in Love

Date: Aug. 28, 2023

Passage

2 John 1:1-13 (ESV)

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.

4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 5 And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

12 Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

13 The children of your elect sister greet you.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 1:6

And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.

This book is written by John the Elder to a house church that seems to be led by a woman. He praises her for her staunch faith and clear upbringing of her children in the faith.

He encourages the believers in her house church to continue to walk in love and obedience to God’s commands. When we make love our aim and humbly obey Jesus’ command to do so, we can remain faithful to him.

Next, he cautions her house church not to welcome false teachers who deny Jesus is God. These deceivers have rejected Jesus’ teachings and destroy the community of faith, love and obedience. We also need to be on guard against good sounding humanism and cultural relativism that can lead us to compromise. For example, people say love is love, live together outside of marriage, and put rainbow signs in church windows. This humanistic view of love compromises God’s truth and denies Jesus who died to save people from their sins of immorality. We should not share in their wickedness, but love them by helping them to repent and be saved.

Prayer: Prayer: Father, help me to hold fast to the truth that your one and only Son Jesus died for my sins. Help me to love Jesus and to obey his commands to walk in his love.

One Word: .One Word: Love Jesus and obey his commands

Worthy is Jesus the Lamb

Revelation 5:1-14

Key Verse: 5:12

saying with a loud voice,

  “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
  to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
  and honor and glory and blessing!”

Today's Question

What does the fifth commandment forbid?

See answer and references