These are two key ideas that go hand in hand when it comes to love. As we finish up our series on love for this month, John discusses the importance of sharing what we’ve learned.
2 John 10-13 “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work. 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. The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings.”
The first week we talked about how to love. The second week was about the definition of love. Last week we looked at imitation love. This week we look at how and when to share love.
Since John has just finished talking about those people who are imitators and deceivers when it comes to the teaching of Jesus and His love, the verses here start out telling us to not be hospitable to people who are imitators and deceivers of love. This sounds logical, but in this culture at this time, hospitality was a mandate and people were judged on the quality of their hospitality. John telling them not to entertain someone was a BIG deal. He wants people to understand that the things you allow in your house will ultimately come to define who you are. If we allow deceit and false teaching into our house to reside, then ultimately that will be what comes to define us.
John makes such a stark contrast between what our hospitality should be like with the deceivers and with himself or other believers. John indicates that when he comes to fellowship and share with them, then their joy will be complete. John knows that because of love, the sharing and hospitality that goes with the love is to be like family. It is to bring joy and harmony and love between all parties as they share the love of Jesus.
We are certainly to share the love of Jesus with everyone. However, we’re not to take in those who are trying to persuade us to a false love or imitation love. We must recognize that sharing the love of Christ makes for complete joy. Are you experiencing complete joy in your relationships with others? Are those relationships based on the love of Jesus Christ?
Kristi Burchfiel, Christian devotional author and speaker
Living in the World – Living out the Word
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2 comments:
Kristi, another excellent post. The part where you said that what we allow into our house will ultimately come to define who we are really resonated with me.
Thank you for sharing your insight with us!
Thanks Amanda! I know I've had to take a good, honest look at what I'm allowing in my house at times. It's a constant evaluating so things don't slip in through the cracks. God's word is so awesome!
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