Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 101st. Edition.
Dear People Who Are Called by the Name,
Today we begin our devotions in the little book of 2 John. The letter is very similar to 1 John and was most likely written about the same time as the long letter. We begin with greetings (vv. 1-3).
Elect (v. 1). John identifies himself as the elder. This could be a reference to the fact that he was a leader of the church, and this was a common term for church leaders at that time. More likely, though, is the possibility that John was an old man, much older than most of his readers. This letter was written towards the end of the first century and even though John was probably still a teenager when he was called by Jesus, he would by this time have been in his eighties, at least. Life expectancy was low back then, so anyone older than 60 would have been considered old. John addresses himself to the “elect lady and her children.” This is probably not a person, but a congregation of believers.
It would make sense to address a church thus because we are the bride of Christ. The last verse of this letter (v. 13) also refers to the children of an elected sister. The word elect implies intention and purpose. No one comes to Christ by the mere coincidence of events. Everyone who is in Christ is so because God “Chose [him] before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4). John declares his love for the church, something he says is shared by all “who have known the truth.” The basis of Christian love is the truth of the gospel. Once we yield our lives to Christ, we are brought into the family of all who believe. True believers will love other believers, no matter what diversity they may present.
Embedded (v. 2). Those in Christ have been indwelt by him and he is the truth (John 14:6). This indwelling is not for a period but will remain with the believer forever. This is why we are to expect a transformed life of every believer. It is simply not possible that Christ would be in a person’s life, and life would continue as if nothing significant had happened.
Endowed (v. 3). John wishes the believers grace, mercy, and peace. Grace was the common Greek greeting, peace the Hebrew greeting. John adds to this, mercy. Christians definitely gave new meaning to these words. Grace was not a mere wish that the circumstances would favor one, anymore, but a declaration of God’s favor to undeserving sinners. Mercy was no longer just kindness to the suffering and needy, but God’s offer of forgiveness to sinners who deserved his wrath. As someone said, “In his grace, God gave us what we did not deserve; in his mercy, he did not give us what we deserved.”Peace is not simply the absence of war. The greatest and most damaging conflict is the alienation of sinners from their God (Isaiah 59:2). This is the root of internal turmoil and conflict with others. When Jesus died on the cross, he made reconciliation possible (Ephesians 2:4-6). Peace with God is the result (Romans 5:1) and with it comes also peace with others (Ephesians 2:14).
All this is wrapped in the partnership of the Father and the Son to save us. When we come to terms with the truth, this is what we come to appreciate.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.