Statement of Faith

The Four Most Important Things We Could Ever Tell You

Listen to this week's message!

Map to the Church

Prayer Requests

Enhance your daily reading of God's word. Click here for free, printable Bible Reading and Prayer Journal sheets!

"The Walk of Love"
2 John 5-6

Wednesday AM Bible Study
March 29, 2006

John seems to repeat himself in his letters. But it isn't John that is repeating himself, but the Holy Spirit who is seeking to fix a truth deeply in our hearts. Just when we think we've heard all that there is to say about the commandment to love, that's the time when we most need to hear it again.

Here, in John's second letter, we see this great theme taken up again. The command to walk in love is given. But it's not repeated to us in a harsh or resentful way. Notice that:

1. It's an exhortation in the context of joy (v. 4).
2. It's given in an attitude of respect ('lady').
3. It's given in a spirit of unity (the first person plural is used).
4. It's issued as a strong request ("I ask you" or "I urge you").
5. It's given as if the one giving it is under the same obligation as the one receiving it.

I. WHAT IS THE COMMANDMENT OF THIS PASSAGE?
That we love one another (John 13:12-15; 33-35; 1 John 2:7-10; 3:23).

II. HOW ESSENTIAL IS THIS COMMANDMENT TO OUR PROFESSION OF FAITH?
(2 John 9-11). It's foundational - (Jude 3).

III. WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THE 'LOVE' THAT JESUS COMMANDS OF US?
Action (1 John 3:16-18; Ephh. 5:1-2).

IV. HOW DO WE PUT INTO PRACTICE THE 'WALK OF LOVE' TOWARD ONE ANOTHER?
By obeying the commandments (Gal. 5:14; Romans 13:8-10).

V. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE 'WALK' IN OBEDIENCE TO THE FATHER'S COMMANDMENTS?
In this, we see that the argument comes around full circle:

A. The commandment of Jesus is to love one another - which is a commandment we have had from the beginning.

B. The commandment is concerned with our practical walk.

C. The walk involves obeying the Father's commandments toward one another.

D. In obeying the Father's commandments, we discover that "this is love, that we walk according to His commandments."

E. "By this," John says in his first letter, "We know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:2-3).

Printable Version