Daily Bible: Let Us Love One Another

Saint John addresses his second letter (2 John 4-9) to the “chosen Lady.” While there seems to be a bit of debate about whether Saint John was addressing a specific lady (a title used for Roman citizens) or to a local church that he was bishop over. Either way, his message is clear. Saint John is encouraging his audience to obey the New Commandment that Jesus gave – “love one another as I have loved you.” Saint John then warns about heretics who deny Jesus but who claim to be “progressive” in thought. Stick with the true Gospel that tells you the way to salvation is to love.

Psalm 119:1-18 is another psalm that rejoices in the law of God. Notice how the psalmist says that he will follow the law of God with all of his heart. Following the law of God is more than just behavior. It means following God’s will with your entire being. When that law is love, you can easily see the connection between following God’s Law and loving God.

Jesus’ mysterious words in Luke 17:26-37 talk about the final days. Jesus warns that just as the flood in the time of Noah and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in the time of Abraham took people by surprise, so will the return of the Lord at the end of time. In contrast to the belief expressed in the “Left Behind” novels, notice that those who are “left behind” in this scenario are the saved. Those “taken away” in the flood and in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah were those destroyed due to their sin. Anyway, our Lord’s main message here is that we need to be wholeheartedly attached to Him. We must not turn back lest we be swept away. Remain firmly anchored in Jesus – in love and in truth.