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1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

4 I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. 5 But now, dear lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment but one we have had from the beginning: let us love one another. 6 And this is love that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning—you must walk in it.

7 Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist! 8 Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what we have worked for but may receive a full reward. 9 Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive and welcome this person into your house, 11 for to welcome is to participate in the evil deeds of such a person.

12 Although I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink; instead, I hope to come to you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

13 The children of your elect sister send you their greetings.

 

One of the most powerful and reoccurring messages in the Bible is that of hospitality. Repeatedly, there are stories of letting strangers in and welcoming them. Hospitality is taught across Christianity, Judaism, and Islam as a core tenet of faith. But in this short letter, we find the faithful being warned about extending hospitality to those who may be deceivers. So how do you know?

 

“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again, there is nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9 (I honestly JUST learned this is from the Bible)

 

You will know deceivers by those who try to tell you they have a ‘new’ way to Christ/God/faith. That may seem cynical, but I think it has merit. As Lutherans we believe that our understanding of faith comes sola scriptura – only from the Word of God. I find that very grounding. Sure, we SHOULD be finding new insights into God and our understanding of the Word. But when people fundamentally promote some new-fangled approach to faith or something that seems too easy or too flashy, it likely is. Even Christ’s core message of loving God and loving our neighbor is just a consolidation of what is expressed throughout the Old Testaments. We need to base our lives in scripture. Is it easy? No. Will it cause us discomfort and even problems? Likely. But is it worth it? I am going to say wholeheartedly YES.

 

Eternal Savior, grant us your wisdom and understanding so that we may love with a heart that reflects Your Light into the lives of those around us. Amen.

 

Chad Ryberg

Cryberg@livinglord.org

 

Prayer Concern: Stewardship of our lands and seas.