FOR THE LOVE OF GOD

I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received a commandment from the Father. And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. – 2 John 4-6.

The elder, as John refers to himself, begins the heart of the epistle on a positive note, with a word of encouragement and an expression of personal joy. He wishes to continue the warm affection established with his readers in the opening verses, thereby preparing them for the harsh warnings that will follow. Many a minister would do well to follow the wise strategy we see here (note Paul’s similar approach concerning the “Onesimus affair” in his letter to Philemon).

John rejoices because of a good report he has received concerning these believers (see 3 John 3). There is a depth of intensity to the joy John has experienced upon discovering that members of this community are walking in truth. The phrase, “I have found,” suggests that the time of John’s discovery was in the past but also that he believes their walking in the truth continues.

How did John discover these things about the chosen lady’s children? The text does not say. Perhaps he had actually met some of them and discovered firsthand their commitment to obey the Father. News may have reached him by a report from visitors or traveling missionaries. Regardless of how the information arrived, this community had cultivated a reputation for devotion to the truth of God.

Some students of Scripture have emphasized the word “some” in the verse, and taken it to mean that certain children were walking in the truth but that others were not. John may only be referring to those children whom he had actually met, however, and that they constitute “some” of the total fellowship. Given the positive and encouraging thrust of verse 4, to read a negative judgment between the lines seems unnecessary and unwarranted.

“Walking in truth” indicates that truth is both what we believe and how we live. It is doctrine and duty, creed and conduct. As with so many spiritual characteristics, it denotes action; an active participation. The wonderful Baptist preacher Vance Havner used to say: “What we live is what we believe. Everything else is just religious talk.”

John notes that walking in the truth is a commandment we previously received from the Father. It may be that he is alluding to 1 John 3:23. Any other attempt to specify a canonical reference is difficult to support. However, it would support the precedence of the Epistle of 1 John. It may be that John’s intent is simply to stress the ultimate source (the Father) of the message (to love one another) and to remind us to whom we are ultimately accountable.

Continuing into verse 5, John utilizes a form of address. The word “dear” is not in the original text, although its addition captures the elder’s intent. Understanding “lady” as referring to a local congregation, as many scholars suggest, the words that follow are for the whole body of believers. The gentle and sensitive approach taken by John again ensures that he will gain a receptive hearing.

“And now” has a logical force flowing from the previous commendation of verse 4. Since they are walking in the truth, John is confident they will welcome his call to “love one another.” John does not have a new word for this congregation. This sets him apart from the “deceivers” found in verse 7 and those that “transgress” in verse 9, who boast of something more, something new. John is not one who believes old is always bad and new is always better. Truth is truth regardless of its age, for all truth ultimately finds its source in God.

“The commandment [we] have heard from the beginning” (a favorite and recurring phrase in the epistle of 1 John) is simple and worthy of being repeated: “We should love one another.” What John means by “from the beginning” may bear the same meaning in each instance, although each occurrence should be evaluated in context. Here John seems to be referring to the origin of the Christian faith itself embodied in the person of Jesus Christ.

To Be Continued

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Acts 9:3-18

Utterly at God’s Disposal

The disciple God uses must be utterly at God’s disposal. Ananias was living in such close touch with the Lord that he could recognize Jesus speaking to him. The Lord said in a vision, “Ananias,” and he said, “Here I am, Lord.” – Acts 9:10.

Ananias was on speaking terms with the Lord. Are you? Acts 9:10–16 reveals the intimate conversation that went on between Ananias and Jesus. The Lord asked Ananias to go (verse 15) and Ananias went (verse 17). There was complete obedience.

A man once recorded his meeting with General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, with these words:

When I looked into his face and saw him brush back his hair from his brow, heard him speak of the trials and the conflicts and the victories, I said “General Booth, tell me what has been the secret of your success.” He hesitated a second, and I saw the tears come into his eyes and steal down his cheeks, and then he said, “I’ll tell you the secret. God has had all there was of me to have. There have been men with greater opportunities; but from the day I got the poor of London on my heart and a vision of what Jesus Christ could do, I made up my mind that God would have all there was of William Booth, and if there’s anything of power in the Salvation Army today, it is because God has had all the adoration of my heart, all the power of my will, and all the influence of my life.”

The listener reported: “I learned from William Booth that the greatness of a man’s power was in the measure of his surrender.”

Leads Others to Blessing

The disciple God uses must be full of Christ-like love. When Ananias went to Saul he did not say, “You scoundrel, you persecutor of the church! You’ve done much evil!”

What did Ananias say? And what was his attitude? He laid his hands affectionately on Saul and said, “Brother Saul” (verse 17). There was great love and compassion in those words.

This is a test of our Christianity. When you are harmed and hurt by another Christian, are you able to go and say “Brother”?

Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” – Matthew 6:12 (NLT). The Bible admonishes us to be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven us. We need Christ’s love in our hearts.

Full of Christlike Love

The believer God uses should lead others into the blessings of Christianity. On the threshold of his new life, Ananias led Saul into the fullness of spiritual blessing, for he showed him how to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17).

Ananias knew how imperative it is for any disciple of Christ Jesus to be filled with the Holy Spirit if he or she is to live graciously and serve God effectively. At Pentecost the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is as essential to the disciple’s life as gasoline is to an automobile. God commands us to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).

A story is told of the great German composer, Mendelssohn:

It was said he once visited a cathedral containing one of the most priceless organs in Europe. He listened to the organist and then asked permission to play. “I don’t know you,” was the reply. “And we don’t allow any chance stranger to play upon this organ.”

At last, the great musician persuaded the organist to let him play. As Mendelssohn played, the great cathedral was filled with such music as the organist had never heard. With tears in his eyes, he laid his hand on Mendelssohn’s shoulder. “Who are you?” he asked. “Mendelssohn,” came the reply.

The old organist was dumbfounded. “To think,” he said, “the master was here, and I nearly forbade him to play upon my organ!”

If we only knew what wonderful, harmonious service the Holy Spirit can draw out of our lives, we would not be content until He has complete possession and is working in us and through us to do His will.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Where noted, Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation®, NLT © 2015 by Tyndale House.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Acts 9:3-18

Probably a Very Unlikely Person

The disciple God uses will most often be a very unlikely person. God used Ananias to do a tremendous thing. Ananias led Saul of Tarsus to understand how to become a disciple of Jesus Christ, helped him to receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, led him to be baptized, and encouraged him to associate with the local church. The whole ministry of the apostle Paul was launched by a disciple named Ananias about whom we know very little. He is simply called “a certain disciple” (Acts 9:10). He was not an apostle, was probably not an outstanding man, and as far as we know was not even a deacon or a teacher. He is simply “a certain disciple.” Yet God delighted in using him as He often delights to use ordinary people, and this is a great encouragement to all of us (1 Corinthians 1:26–29).

As told in the Old Testament, it was Nathan, a little-known prophet, who led David to repentance. It was a little maid who reached Naaman, the captain of the Syrian host. When God wanted to lead Saul of Tarsus into the assurance of salvation, he used “a certain disciple” named Ananias. Proof that God can use you and I!

I read a story of a godly man who was asked to teach a young boys’ Sunday School class. Since they couldn’t get another teacher, he taught their class for about three years. It was told that he didn’t speak very well and could hardly read, but he loved the Lord Jesus with all his heart. He shared that love with those in that class. What was the result of his teaching? It’s written that one of the members in the class became an attorney and a judge. Another class member became a wonderful postal employee. A couple of the members of the class became outstanding businessmen. Three of the members of the class became preachers of the gospel. All of the members of the class are still active in the church today. They all remember the love their teacher had for the Lord.

If God can use a simple man to teach Sunday School and use him to transform a class of boys and if God can use a certain disciple named Ananias to lead Paul, the apostle, into the deeper walk of the Christian life, don’t you know beyond a doubt, that God can use you? Most of the time, the believer’s God uses are just very ordinary people.

Lives a Devout Christian Life

The believer God uses must be living a devout Christian life. The Bible speaks of Ananias being “a devout man” (Acts 22:12). It goes on to state that he had “a good testimony with all the Jews.” This simply means that Ananias was a devout Christian. There was no insincerity about his life or testimony. He was a humble man. He lived the teachings of the Bible in flesh and blood.

There’s an illustration given of a sixteen-year-old girl who was a chronic invalid. Her mother was a pleasure-loving woman who could not endure the idea of being with her shut-in daughter. While the mother was traveling abroad in Italy, she remembered the coming birthday of her daughter and sent her a rare and beautiful vase. The trained nurse brought it to the girl tell her that her mother had sent it so carefully to make sure it came right on her birthday. After looking at its beauty for a moment, the girl turned to the nurse and said, “Take it away, take it away!” “Oh, mother,” the daughter cried, “don’t send me anything more, no books, no flowers, no pictures, no vases. I only want you!”

That must be the pleading cry of the Savior. Don’t give Christ things, He doesn’t need things. He wants you. Jesus wants your yielded heart, your heart fully given. He knows that if you give Him yourself, all else will follow.

To Be Continued

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Acts 9:3-18

One of the most humbling truths revealed in the Word of God is that God uses you and I for the accomplishment of His purposes. That can truly be a staggering thought. The infinite, eternal, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent God uses folks like you and I to do His work on this earth.

One man who was wonderfully used by the Lord was Ananias. He was privileged to seek out and lead Saul of Tarsus into an understanding of what God wanted the great apostle to do. We read about Ananias only twice in the New Testament, in Acts 9 and 22. He is presented to us as the type of believer, the Christ-like disciple, God can use.

A Member of the Body of Christ

The believer God uses must be a member of the spiritual Body of Christ. God works through believers and disciples who, by the miracle of the new birth and baptism of the Holy Spirit, have been made members of the Body of Christ. Jesus told Nicodemus that one needs the new birth to be a member of God’s kingdom (John 3:3). When a person is converted, a number of things happen. One is that the Holy Spirit baptizes us into the spiritual Body of Christ. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” – 1 Corinthians 12:13.

The clear teaching of the New Testament is that of a spiritual church and a local church. A person becomes a member of the spiritual church by trusting Christ as Savior. The moment a person is saved, or born-again, he or she is baptized by the Holy Spirit into the spiritual Body of Christ. The infilling or dwelling of the Holy Spirit occurs at conversion, and is based on acceptance of Christ Jesus into your life.

An individual becomes a member of a local congregation by trusting Christ as Savior and publicly confessing Christ and usually demonstrating that belief by water baptism. Acts gives the divine order: “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them [the Church].” – Acts 2:41.

Jesus clearly told Saul of Tarsus that in persecuting Christians he had been persecuting the Lord Himself, for believers are members of the Body of Christ (Acts 9:4–5). Jesus is the Head of the Church, and we, as members of that spiritual Church, are members of Christ’s body. Thus, the disciples of the Lord and the Lord Himself are one.

During His earthly ministry, our Lord had an earthly body. He lived and worked through that earthly body. Now that Jesus is in heaven, at the right hand of the Father, so Jesus’ body on earth is the Church. From heaven, Jesus the Head, works through individual members of His Body, the Church, through the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:12–13).

Ananias, a member of that Body, was greatly used by the Lord. If you and I are to be used by the Lord, the same must be true of us. Have you been converted? Have you followed Christ in New Testament confession and water baptism? Are you a member of a local church where you are actively working for Christ?

The question has often been asked, “Can a person be a believer without joining a local church?” I myself have thought about that a long time. The answer is yes, you can still be a believer without joining the church, but that would be like saying you are an employee without a job. It is easier to be used of God when you are with other believers so that you can encourage others and you can be encouraged. A hermit, would have a hard time encouraging anyone else in the Lord, if they were “off-the-grid” so to speak.

Yes, you can be a believer, a Christian, without being an actual member of the local church, but you need the fellowship of other believers to find and fulfill your spot in the spiritual Body of Christ.

To Be Continued

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.