WEEK 4
Monday
Read: 2 John 5–8
SOAP: 2 John 6
(Now this is love: that we walk according to his commandments.) This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning; thus you should walk in it.
Throughout Scripture, beginning in Leviticus and Deuteronomy, God commands His people to love Him and to love one another. What is this love? Second John explains the way we love the Lord and each other is by obeying the commands of God. When we do what the scriptures say we show love to God. In turn, this will cause us to act rightly toward those around us.
It may seem simple, but it is certainly not easy. Our stubbornness, pride, selfishness, and discontent get in the way. We can easily become overwhelmed by our sin and believe the lie that following God’s commands is impossible. As we walk with Him, He equips us with everything we need for doing His will (Heb 13:21). The God who commands us to love is also the One who will come to our help when we ask.
Lord, I desire to love You and others well, but when it comes to obeying Your Word, I fall short. Send me encouragement, and help me to love doing what is pleasing in Your eyes so that my words of love are backed by my actions. Amen.