Scripture Reading: 1 John 1:5-10, 2 John 1:4-11, 3 John 1:1-8, Deuteronomy 15:10-11, Psalm 15:1-5, Matthew 22:34-40
This Is the New Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. As we read, we’ll gain a broader understanding of the redemptive story of Scripture. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we will finish reading the General Epistles and move on to Apocalyptic Literature.
The Books of 1, 2 & 3 John: Written by the apostle John, the books of 1, 2 & 3 John describe how believers are to walk in true fellowship with God, actively loving their brothers and sisters in the faith. He wrote in these three letters that it is the Holy Spirit who enables us to live this obedient life.
How 1, 2 & 3 John Fit into the Story: First John maps out the three main components of saving knowledge of God: faith in Jesus Christ, obedient response to God’s commands, and true love for God and others. This letter shows how Jesus expects His followers to honor Him daily wherever they are.
Second John encourages believers to stay the course, responding to one another with love and the truth of the gospel. This letter challenges readers to remain steadfast in their faith and hope in Jesus Christ, eventually receiving a “full reward” from Him (2Jn 8).
Third John underscores central Christian convictions and testifies to the God-centeredness of the Christian faith. Jesus and the Holy Spirit are not mentioned specifically, but in the writer’s view, both were included when referencing God in this letter (3Jn 1, 3–4, 8, 12).
Reflection Questions:
1. How do 1, 2 & 3 John speak to the relationship between genuine faith and loving others? In what area of your life do you struggle to show love to others?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
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86 thoughts on "1, 2 & 3 John"
A genuine, authentic faith is transformative in our lives. It changes us and because of that we live and conduct ourselves differently. Loving Jesus with all our hearts, soul and mind is a daily pursuit, challenge and my hearts desure and hope. The outflow of that means we also love and care for others differently, we see them through the lense of Jesus focused eyes. Not easy at all because there are certainly people that are a struggle to love. Todays readings are encouraging and so practical….the challenge is to put into practice. Help us Lord to love you and others well.
Amen❤️
We made it home safely. We both cried coming in the drive and then were greeted by welcome home banners and decorations. More decorations inside. So very grateful to be back home. Today was spent trying to catch up and make calls. Tom uses the VA and getting a referral to a cardiologist is taking some time. Its been two weeks since being under a Drs care. Please pray that things can move faster and we can get in to a cardiologist soon. We both got the best night of sleep since the heart attack. So very grateful to our Lord!
Praying for an appointment very soon.
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Prayers
So wonderful to hear! Continuing to pray!!❤️
Wonderful news Susan and praying for timing and God’s hand over the cardiologist referral and appointment.
Hello ladies, coming on late on this cold, rainy day that feels like fall. My week has been packed and I’ve missed you all. How do 1, 2 & 3 John speak to the relationship between genuine faith and loving others? This verse keeps coming to mind: “Faith works by love” (Galatians 5:6). We can’t avoid the business of love, it’s the cross we bear, owing no one anything but the debt of love. And loving humans, oh my goodness, it takes practice and constant sacrifice. It’s so much easier to love a perfect, merciful, wonderful God than it is to love people, especially family. That’s been a painful journey for me.
I used to misunderstand the “as yourself” part of the command. I thought we were called to love others with the same intensity we love ourselves, but I don’t think that’s what the Lord meant, since that would be impossible. And that had me wondering, is there a flaw in the commandment itself? Of course not. God isn’t flawed in what He commands. It was my understanding that was flawed. So here’s how I’ve come to see it simply: I will love others the way I understand my own pain, my own wretchedness, my own need for love, dignity, and respect, so that I treat others’ pain, hunger, and loneliness as sincerely as I treat my own. I think the commandment isn’t asking for equal feeling, but for a pivot away from self-priority, correcting our natural and default self-bias, and refusing to exempt our neighbor from the moral and spiritual concern we automatically give ourselves. We don’t lie to them when we wouldn’t want to be lied to. We don’t overlook their needs the way we’d never overlook our own. And even with all that said, in practice we will fail at this on our own strength. Leaning on God, the Author of Love, is the fuel that keeps us going. He loves us not because we are lovely, but because He is Love. Tomorrow I’m going to a mom’s house in the neighborhood to counsel her teenage daughter, Jenny, who’s experiencing deep depression, fresh grief from losing her dad three years ago, and self-harm. Would you please pray that I can win Jenny to the Lord? I’ll also be praying to bind any demonic presence out of her bedroom also (her mom said she has felt a dark presence there and it scared her). I’ve prayed over their home before, but this time I’m going back with oil to anoint the house and Jenny for healing. I’ve followed several deliverance ministries in the past, but now here I am, being called myself. Please pray for my courage. I’ll be going in like a ghostbuster (lol), just with the Holy Spirit as my force and you sweet sisters’ prayers as my backup. I’m nervous, but I feel good about it. The prayers of faith avail much. And isn’t faith the shield? I’ll be carrying that shield, trusting that whatever demonic oppression has kept this 13-year-old from eating, sleeping, and finding peace, constantly pulling her into rebellion and self harm, will be broken by God’s power. Please pray for her. I have a Bible to gift her too. Thank you so much. I’ll keep you posted :) Be blessed dear sisters.
praying mercy! admire your boldness and courage!
Praying for you, and for Jenny.
Praying
Thank you for this explanation of “love your neighbour as yourself”. It was an “ah ha” moment for me.
Praying for you and for Jenny’s 13 year old soul and mind to be open to the healing work of Jesus!
I was meditating yesterday on 1 Peter 2:17, “Honour everyone, love the brothers and sisters, fear God, honour the emperor” (CSB).
Wow, how well that goes along with today ‘s readings and themes. Honoring/loving/valuing/respecting someone is going to change how we treat them. That’s what the HS does in our lives, He transforms our spirit even down to how we relate to others… where we were dishonoring now we are honoring, where we were selfish and unloving now we become unselfish and loving, etc. So, with genuine -life transforming – faith comes new goggles on life!
Without redemption, we would not naturally be agape-loving. We need Christ’s love to love, we need his heart for others to do good works. As the Emperor Julian said, “It is a scandal that there is not a single Jew who is a beggar, and that the godless Galileans care not only for their own poor but for ours as well; while those who belong to us look in vain for the help that we should render them.”
the area I struggle with is with the homeless. Honestly. They are all over my city and I usually fear how they are going to act, I don’t like taking walks anymore,and I don’t usually have very “loving” feelings towards them. Thus why I lean on the HS to give me more loving goggles. We recently harvested plums and we left bags of free plums for those who walk by such as the homeless. It’s a small step but Rome wasn’t built in a day!
The breadth of topics discussed today both in the readings and in our comments has been striking. The honesty and willingness to ask hard questions, to wrestle with scripture and to respond in love to one another is an active example of what we have read in the selections this morning. This is what Living, Walking, Practicing, Speaking and Loving in Truth is all about. The list of women whose comment have impacted my thoughts this morning is too long to share….but I will be bringing you before God in prayer through out the day. May his light shine on you… always.
Loving others is not easy for me. I’m being honest here. It sounds horrible, but it’s true. I’m surrounded by unbelievers and it makes it truly hard. I try to look at others in the way God would. He loves them. He does not love their behavior. Maybe it is a control issue for me. I don’t know. My husbands grown kids are so far from God that I struggle. I feel it when I’m with them. BUT I just realized that was me at a young age! I could feel the judgement from believers back then. It didn’t bring me to God that is for sure. I need to work on this. Sorry for writing as I’m thinking..lol
It’s so true though. It’s hard to love the ones that flat out don’t believe in God and even mock Him or us in our belief.
I feel like in “your” home though, you Can’t control them necessarily..but to say grace, not allow certain shows..or play your music. That is all in your control. Not letting unwed couple sleep in the same room. Not in an obnoxious way. At my sister’s house recently it was hard, but everything is a choice that we can make and excuse ourselves otherwise. Its funny because in my 20’s I still had respect at my parents house (of my mouth, sleeping arrangements, shows I wanted to watch.) So it’s not wrong to bring that back.
Sorry…to go on a tangent down this road. But…I’m so glad my parents held strong of how we conducted ourselves in their house. (If they want the food, they will come and behave?? lol)
Thank you for being honest Traci and for sharing your feelings. I don’t think I’d be wrong in saying, we all have people in our lives that are hard to love. ❤️
I’m not sure what the Lord is trying to teach me, but I know it’s something and I will have to prayerfully consider why Matthew 22:37 – Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ has come up SO many times this past week..almost everyday I’ve heard it once place or another!
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I find it is most hard to love those who have hurt us in ministry, and it is many. I pray always that God will take away any bitterness, anger, resentment and replace it with love. I’m not perfect. I’m not always someone others would want to love. I’m a work in progress and will be until I die. I need to see others through the eyes of Jesus, and see me as Jesus does – saved by His grace alone, not because I’m good (because I could never be good enough) and not because I deserve it, because I don’t. God loves me therefore I ought to love others. Period.
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Much to ponder today. Have a blessed day sweet She’s. ❤️
@Teresa Cooper Donley, I just saw your yesterdays comment this morning. I am so sorry for what happened to you – both with your husband and with the church. Thank you for sharing your story. And praise God that you still have your faith after all that has happened.
I am also sorry to hear that you and @Searching no longer attend church in person. It makes all the difference in the world when you physically show up. We are a body and we all need each other. By not actively being a part of a church body you may be missing out on what others could offer you and also they could be missing out on what you could offer them. When a part is missing – the whole body feels it.
I do not in any way mean this as being judgemental, I just want to encourage you to prayerfully consider becoming part of a church body for your own growth and benefit.
Personally from a ministry stand point, it is so encouraging for Jeff & me when our people show up. I just mentioned two days ago to him that if everyone that watches online showed up in person, how wonderful that would be. It really encourages us to see people in the congregation, especially for Jeff who so diligently prepares his sermon and sometimes preaches to an almost empty church.
I am so glad you are both here at SRT and that we get to know you and glean from what you share in the comments. It is always a blessing! Thank you for being here, and thank you both for always faithfully praying for us! ❤️
Amen Sharon!
I agree, so easy to watch online, which I have been doing so often these last few months. It’s all out of lazyness, in my case, which is sad! I LOVE being at my church and always feel FILLED! Up in Chicagoland it was hard in the winter, but I don’t have that excuse here. I have no excuses! I wish my husband would push more to go, thinking that he is the head, but he really just goes by what I want to do! And I usually watch both same service online (with him). But there are always distractions whether we admit that or not.
And Sharon, they way you put it too, about Jeff preparing…God love him!! That is all Glory to God!!
Thank you Rhonda. I encourage you to make every effort to be in person. We were created for fellowship, we crave it, we need it…and when you’re not there – somebody’s missing out on a blessing – you! ❤️
I am catching up on comments this morning too. Praying for Theresa and healing and a fresh start in another church full of believers who care. Praying for your VBS and ministry Sharon. We know the first churches were small in people’s homes. (I love my small group and leading small ladies Bible studies) Praying God will use you in all circumstances and seasons. There is a little white church near our little rental home this week and my Mom and I walked over on Sunday morning. It was a little half full chapel but everyone was so kind and full of the Holy Spirit. I agree with you and Rhonda that it’s good for us to worship together. Paul’s letters to the churches were full of warnings and it’s sad that things haven’t changed in many churches and all the hypocrisy and church hurt. The Lord wants our hearts.
Thank you for praying for our VBS and ministry AZ. I pray for your ministry every Monday morning. Hope all is going well and that your house is coming along. ❤️
I think you may have mixed me up with A Walton and her home building delays dear Sharon. I pray for her and her situation regularly. There are so many ladies to pray for and sometimes I ask God to put a protective umbrella over all of us and bless our needs. All here are such kindred spirits to me. ❤️. So grateful for SRT.
Reminds me of the little church across from my parents, after they moved when I went away to college. It was over 100 years old with about 12 people. My hometown church had a big split (my brothers wife was cheating with the pastor!!) So my parents started going to the little church across the road! They loved it, I loved it when I would visit!
No church is too small! :)
Thank you, Sharon. I actually long for a church home. I just haven’t been able to make myself go. I miss having a family of Believers to share my life with. Thank you for your prayers. I’m praying for your VBS and for your church to grow. You and Jeff are a testament to faith in action.
Teresa, Im so very sorry for what you experienced. Praying you find a place to call home♥️
Reflection Questions:
1. How do 1, 2 & 3 John speak to the relationship between genuine faith and loving others?
That one cannot be done without the other. That you show your faithfulness by loving others
In what area of your life do you struggle to show love to others? Being present I think. I’m an introvert so it’s hard to for me to talkative and engaging. O think that makes my family feel like I don’t want to be involved a lot.
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Showing love is being faithful.
amen
I don’t understand the story of redemption. Is it a story what Jesus did and dying for us?
That is absolutely it Kim! God sent His Son to die for our sin because sin separates us from God. He calls us to salvation, when we accept that call by receiving Christ as our Savior – we are redeemed meaning, we are bought back when Jesus paid the price for our sin. It is God freeing us from our slavery to sin. That is the redemption story. ❤️
Wonderful. quick explanation of the redemption story.
That is such a thoughtful question Kim. I imagine there are tons of ladies who could answer that better than me, but as I understand it in my heart.
thank you for bringing this point up, kim – i was thinking the same! it doesn’t say to not show them kindness and basic human decency, so it stays consistent with scripture in that way. treat them as image bearers, but Rhonda’s comparison to telling kids not to run with the wrong crowd was very helpful!
Hi Miss Taylor, I always get a little smile seeing you are here with us!!
Love others as He has loved us!
It’s hardest for me to love people that have done something against me personally. When we become offended with naturally become defensive, and then we move right into tearing them down. Why we are right and they are wrong. And usually we are telling this to all of our friends or spouse. I try not to, and immediately check myself but it’s already out there. I tend to say what I think to quickly. And if I am “not building others up with words of encouragement” well, I need to keep my mouth shut.
Being in leadership comes with more against you. You certainly can’t please everyone, even those above you. I just got admonished by one of my leaders. It hurt my feelings for sure. And I immediately told my husband and he made me feel better but it was at her expense. Not the way to go. I have to be humble first and try to reflect why people would say what they say, and see if I need to receive it with purpose.
Other people that are hard to love usually have their hurts underneath and have learned how to live and behave because of that. When we try to see and understand that it helps us love them as Jesus would!
What a convicting question regarding how I struggle to love others! Over the past few months, we’ve had several new patients come into our office with a criminal background. Most I am able to look past, but the most recent one involves crimes against children. It just weighs heavy on my heart each time they come in. Obviously, I treat them no different than any other interaction, but it’s been so difficult. Definitely have been praying the Lord helps me through each interaction!
Yes, I think that is true for all of us. For the ones that come into our “church” at jail, it is a little easier because I know that if we ask for forgiveness God forgives ALL sin with a repentive heart. But for those that are not Believers and of the world, yes, we just love them in a way that God sees them, a lost sinner, that needs him. So we aren’t loving them as who they are, but we see them as lost.
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This is so challenging! I remember several times taking care of children who were abused (to the point of needing to be hospitalized) and since the investigation was still on-going, the perpetrator was at the bedside. I think I was able to be professional and neutral, but I certainly never achieved feelings or actions that could be described as loving. But they also were made in the image of God and were people for whom Christ died. Ugh. Convicting!
I can totally understand how challenging that must be. I certainly would have a hard time with that. Praying God gives you the strength to extend grace to them, even when they don’t deserve it. But then again – do any of us deserve God’s grace?
God forgives all sin when there is true repentance. But we aren’t God. There are some sins, and some people, we have a very difficult time finding love and forgiveness for. Bringing our struggles to God is the only thing we can do, knowing that He forgives us and helps us to show love to others, when we can.
I need prayer today. Being a mom of preteen boys is not easy and I feel as though I am messing up parenting.
Oh Melissa, we ALL have felt that way! Parenting is the hardest job as they say. It is a busy, and challenging time. Keep in church, and hold tight to boundaries and discipline, that makes all the difference, and pray together! You got this.
Praying!
Praying for you ❤️
Praying, Melissa. This verse came to my mind. “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8. I know I messed up many times as a parent and wish I could do something’s over, BUT GOD! Praying your day turns around and you have a great day with your boys.
Melissa, praying, you are not alone. I encourage you to listen to MumLife Community podcasts (I listen on iheart radio) these are wonderful, Christian, Titus 2 women mentoring moms… so refreshing to hear scripture for what we are going through… my girls are all grown and living on their own, but listening to these podcasts has helped me to mentor others. Blessings
Praying for you and your boys, Melissa ❤️. I am a mom to three boys, all grown now, but remember well the preteen – teen years✨
Stay the course with love, strength, and discipline. The Lord will show you the path✨. Sending much love to you❤️
Praying for you. I am a boy mom and both of my boys are grown with families of their own. I remember when my oldest was about nine and had a particularly bad day, I was venting to other moms “How come no one told me that boys are just as hormonal as girls?” They all quickly assured me and uplifted me. We raise our children the best we can with the tools we have available, and trust God to keep them close.
Im praying for you!
Praying for you right now Melissa. I feel like us moms have all “been there”. You are doing much better than you think, don’t lose heart – even when we mess up, God still has His way. ❤️
Melissa, 3 amazing adult sons despite my sometimes not getting things right in the parent department. Praying for discernment and wisdom as you deal with their individual personalities. Hang in there with the Word! ❤️
This part stuck out to me again today, bc it was bothering me yesterday, this indication that there are some who have lost their salvation, who have been deceived and walked away. it’s very confusing for the call to love others, but then don’t greet the ones who have been deceived or welcome them into your house. I don’t know why, but lately Everytime I read there is just something tough in it for me, it’s like all the encouragement and the hope I can’t see, just the things that are convicting. it’s been really frustrating for me.
Maybe there is some hurt there regarding yourself or someone you love. I think it’s okay to wrestle with the Word in this way. It sounds like it is hitting home for you. Does someone come to mind as you read?
I interpreted this as not being intimate with those who are deceived, because unfortunately, they are allowing Satan to work in them and try and deceive others. Sometimes intentionally. You can see this online with people who have been hurt by the Church in some way and are teaching the Bible but using their own idea/doctrine. Basically twisting Scripture and therefore wrongly instructing others. There is a safety in not allowing their influence in our lives in an intimate way by not “welcoming them into our homes.”
Just my thoughts reading! Def something to pray about if it is creating some tension in you! :)
very helpful Michelle, thank you. I do see myself in that, just that I feel I am a person who is easily deceived. It worries me. It has always been comforting to me to think God won’t let me be deceived, he will correct me, so it’s a scary truth to see that some were being led astray. and he did let that happen.
Boy.. I know how you feel. Truly. I have been so humiliated in my walk with Christ with how I allowed Satan to deceive me in the past. Esp when I first started reading the Bible and even years later (New age, false prophets, other things). My biggest prayer constantly is for discernment to know God’s voice. And I think that’s why it is so important to wrestle with Scripture instead of put it down entirely. It is His Word that we need!!! That is how we discern lies from the truth. We need His word in our hearts to discern His voice vs the enemy. Praying for you, Lanie. May He continue to bring you clarity and most of all PEACE as you walk with Him and lean into His word over all the other noise!
Yes, to Michelles thoughts.
I think the scripture is meant to convict us and challenge us. We too often fall into feel good devotional books and apps. But the Bible is meant to keep us growing with tension and conviction. That’s a good thing. Otherwise we stay complacent right?!
I too had to think on that verse, because aren’t we supposed to love and invite everyone in. Nope, just like Michelle said, we are not to have fellowship/union with those that we are unyoked with, yes, try to love them and give them truth. But just like we tell our kids not to run with the wrong crowd, bad company will corrupt us. It is especially hard if it is family.
Very hard when it is in the family. I struggle with my husbands kids. Especially his daughter. She has a shrine with buddha in her bathroom. She is so far from God and really doesn’t want to hear about Him. Yet, I have to be around her. Huge struggle for me.
How very difficult.
Prayers for her to see Jesus in you and (finally) respond.
oh geez! Well, all sin separates us. I was horrible in my 20’s working in places I should have never been. Luckily my mom kept encouraging me even in the knowing! She must have prayed so much for me! lol
I wonder if you learned something about Buddhism, or even just asked her what it is about Buddha that appeals to her, could you find a common ground to show her love or even show her a gospel truth? Probably not the whole gospel in one pop, but just something in common or something to show her that you hear her and that you care. The Apostle Paul quoted the Greek poets when preaching to Gentiles in Athens in the book of Acts. Finding a common ground was an entry point for sharing the gospel. But make sure that she knows you love her and that you aren’t just trying to convert her. Our love must be unconditional, like God’s.
Good point!
so true. I do try and think of myself being pruned. we prune back our plants so that they can grow. As much as I don’t like it discipline is a good thing
As i shared yesterday, I find these types of verses difficult as well. I think the best I can do when they bother me is to go back to verses that tell me how to come to God … verses like John 3:16. It really is as simple as believing. Then reminding myself that I do believe. And knowing that God is always with me and will never forsake me.
Good morning! I have not seen the translation where it was written “dear lady” and I reread this passage. God loves us so completely and then He is showing us that it is His desire to love people and we are able to do this because He loves us so much. It is a natural expression ❤️
Love one another. Simple words but far from easy in real life. Lord, please guide us as we work to show love to others, which so many times requires hard-to-offer forgiveness.
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TERESA COOPER DONLEY – I replied on yesterday to your evening comment ❤️
TVP ❤️
LISA H ❤️ thankful Andrew’s procedure went well! Praying he is able to keep the anti seizure drugs down.
CEE GEE ❤️ yes, thank you! And “The interesting thing about that list is that no item stands alone in the Scripture! … Stepping stones to fullness.” ❤️
MARI V ❤️ first day prayers for you and the children
TANYA EVANS ❤️ continuing to pray for Rita and sharing her progress
SHARON JERSEY GIRL ❤️ praying for your VBS! Could you encourage this one child at your church to come and bring some friends? Praying for abundance in attendance! Reminded me of the parable about the wedding feast in Matthew 22, “Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.” Are there other churches nearby that aren’t doing VBS next week that you could reach out to to spread the word in their congregations? Boys and girls club? A children’s home in your area? Foster family groups?
MICHELLE P ❤️ praying
TAMI ❤️
B ❤️
MARTHA HIX ❤️
That’s a good idea to reach out to some nearby churches to have them (and friends) come!
“hard-to-offer forgiveness” – yep.
Great suggestions to Sharon about outreach! ❤
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Add my Amen to yours and TVP’s comments to TERESA COOPER DONLEY yesterday. Praying for you Teresa.
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Thank you ❤️
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John says that the relationship between genuine faith and loving others is “proof” of the Spirit working in us and changing us (2Jn9).
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I struggle to show love to others who have “wronged” me. Not necessarily unforgiving or bitter, but “loving” is a whole other level that I still need to rely on God to work in me.
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Today’s reading focuses in on the way my redemption should manifest in love toward others.
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Praying for you and your requests through the day. “Be diligent so that you receive your full reward” (2Jn8 NLT).
Same. ❤❤❤
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These passages emphasize that true faith necessarily results in love for others. It can often be hard to love those that treat us poorly, who disagree with us, or those whom we feel don’t “deserve” our love and kindness. 1,2,3 John upends this challenge though and calls us to walk in the light, to walk in obedience, in the Spirit, emphasizing the outflow of our redemption in Christ is a changed heart that genuinely love others and generously shares that love, grace, and kindness that we have been given!
Lord help me to be faithful, to walk in the light, and to love others as you have loved me!
So well said Kayla!
Amen!
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