2 John-Jude: Holy Tension, Great Doxology, and a Merry Christmas

December 25th, 2 John-Jude

       First of all Merry Christmas. I pray that your celebration of Jesus' coming to be our High Priest and make a one time perfect sacrifice for us causes great joy, satisfaction and celebration in your heart this day!!
       Today's scripture is a bit of a lesson about love, but also the tension of sickness in the body. I've always said things are more simple than they appear. The trouble is, things are also more difficult than they appear. All three of these short books this morning, speak of love, but they are also all written to  address some problem. People who are confusing matters of grace, the deity of Christ, and selfishness.
       We are called to do two things that sometimes seem at odds with each other. 1. Love people.  2. Correct things that are wrong. The writer  speaks about both the wondrous love of God and living in that with one another. " I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." But..."anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God."
       Two realities, same location, has to be dealt with. Don't wilt over important matters. Don't forget to love as Christ loves us! Both!
       Finally, one of my favorite doxologies. Jude 1:24-25

"To Him who is able to keep you from falling and present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy- to the only God our Savior, be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore, Amen."

Now that's an ending!