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Day 172 2 John 1:1 THE ELDER, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who know the truth, 2 because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, and peace be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 4 I rejoiced greatly that I found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. 5 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. 6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. 9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. 12 Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. 13 The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen. Everyone receives letters pleading with them for donations, offering programs that guarantee will benefit them, making offers of a lifetime you can’t pass up, and if you think about passing it up, they make the offer more compelling. What do you do with those letters? You toss them in the recycling or send them to spam. Do you look at every envelope before you toss it? What do you do with the one letter that isn’t a gimmick, but is a genuine letter for help? John sent a letter to a lady. We don’t know who the lady was, but she was an important person in the assembly. He pleaded with her to do one thing, keep the commandment to love one another. John told her he rejoiced that he found some of her children walking in the truth, the commandment to love one another. He kept the letter brief because he intended to visit her and speak to her face to face, then his joy would be full. Christians aren’t exempt from letters pleading for help. What they seem are exempt from is letters of encouragement and hope. Letters that feed the soul and give the reader the knowledge that someone cares that they are doing all they can for the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Elect Lady was one such person. John encouraged her to keep doing what she was doing, obeying the commandment to love one another. He rejoiced in her work and that her children also kept the commandment to love one another. John told her it would be a joy to meet her face to face. When was the last time you sent a letter of encouragement to a fellow believer? Have you set aside time to meet face to face? What will it take for you to let someone know you care about them and the work they do? A letter, whether a note of encouragement or a letter of hope, gives the receiver joy, knowing someone cares about what they do. Many Christians are doing God’s work to spread the gospel and show the love of Jesus Christ to everyone they meet. They see it as thankless work because no one appreciates what they do. However, they will keep loving one another as Christ loves them. Put a spark of joy in someone’s life today. Tell them you appreciate the work they do for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let’s pray: Father, forgive me for not sending hope and encouragement to those who spend their lives for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Help me keep Your commandment to love one another and let Your servants know I appreciate what they do for You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 5 January 2024 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.