Overview
In his brief letter to a chosen lady and her children, John highlights the importance of balance. It is not enough simply to walk in love and truth; you must be equally careful to discern and avoid error when it comes knocking. Warning and encouragement... belief and behavior ... doctrinal accuracy and discerning love—these themes weave their way throughout the book as John urges his audience to make their daily walk with God a discerning walk, a walk that detects and avoids false teaching. |
Your Daily Walk
Two little girls were playing together. One pretended she wanted to rent the other's playhouse, "Have you any parents?" asked the owner of the playhouse. "Yes, two," was the reply. "Oh, I'm so sorry," replied the first, "but I never rent to children with parents. They're so noisy and destructive!"
Parents are prone to give their children everything except the one thing they need most: time. Time for listening, time for understanding, time for helping, time for guiding. Giving of one's time may sound simple, but in reality it is often the most difficult and the most sacrificial task of parenthood.
Has God placed you in a parenting role today? Then you have been entrusted with a most strategic ministry: that of shaping young minds and hearts to be in tune with God's will. Perhaps you have been discouraged lately with the progress your children are making in learning obedience, respect for authority, or love for the things of God. (As one parent put it, "When I was a kid, everything was the kid's fault; now I'm a parent and everything's the parent's fault!") If so, take heart from 2 John: Even children can learn to walk in the truth (v, 4). But it takes time ... your time ... and lots of it.
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