What is it about our nature that resists being told what to do? Sovereignty dictates autonomy, however ignorance manifests disaster. Yet, we still have a bent toward doing whatever we would like to do rather than have someone else tell us how we must be. But what if we are commanded by God? Are we still as resistant to one who is superior in knowledge and wisdom? Do we have trouble relying upon perfection when it comes to knowing what is best? Today John the apostle continues his thoughts upon the truth, and in his statement he references a directive by God the Father. He wrote in Second John verse four:
I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
There are those within the world who desire to marginalize the directives of God, and they think that their submission will somehow eradicate the commandments of God. They are not successful, nor are their arguments. John the apostle perceived sharing the truth as a commandment from God, and why not? Leading someone in error would prohibit the very core of John's teaching which is that God loves us and desires to have a relationship with us.
Notice too that John “received” this “commandment”. It was not a suggestion, but a “commandment”. John was to share the truth with anyone he encountered, and particularly this “elect lady” and her children. When Jesus sent His disciples which included John out two by two when He was on the Earth, and He commanded their behavior as recorded in the book of Mark in chapter six and verses seven thru thirteen:
And he called [unto him] the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; And commanded them that they should take nothing for [their] journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in [their] purse: But [be] shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed [them].
Jesus knew people's needs then, and He knows them now. God knows we are people who need the truth, who are challenged with alternative ways of thought, and that we must know the difference between that which is true and that which is false. For John to share any other way with this “elect lady” would not only prohibit she and her children from having fellowship with God but us as well.
When we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we abandon our proclivity toward sovereignty, and we align ourselves with the omniscience of the Almighty God whose commandments and commanding way are meant for our advancement and not our demise. Paul the apostle wrote it this way in the book of First Corinthians in chapter six and verse twenty:
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Next time we shall take a look at what John has to say to the elect lady about what to do with love, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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