Day 359 - In Truth, Supporting God’s Work, and Standing Firm for the Faith

Welcome to Day 359 of The Glory Team Bible Reading Plan.

These short but powerful letters address the urgent need to guard the truth of the gospel while living it out through love, integrity, and discernment. They emphasize that truth and love are inseparable, and that faithfulness to Christ must shape both belief and behavior. The writings confront the danger of false teachers who distort the message of Christ and threaten the spiritual health of the community. At the same time, they highlight the responsibility of believers to support faithful servants of God and promote unity within the church. The final letter calls believers to actively contend for the faith amid widespread deception and moral compromise. Together, these letters urge Christians to remain steadfast in truth, courageous in love, and vigilant in protecting the gospel entrusted to them.

2 John

This letter emphasizes the importance of walking in truth and love as foundational to Christian life. Love is defined not as mere emotion but as obedience to God’s commandments, particularly the command to love one another. The letter warns against deceivers who deny the true identity of Jesus Christ, specifically His coming in the flesh. Believers are cautioned not to support or welcome such teachers, as doing so would make them participants in falsehood. Faithfulness is presented as guarding what has been received so believers do not lose their reward. The letter closes with the desire for personal fellowship rather than extended written communication, highlighting the relational nature of truth.

3 John

This letter focuses on faithfulness in action, particularly through hospitality and support of those who serve in the truth. The recipient is commended for walking in truth and for demonstrating love by caring for traveling teachers and missionaries. Such support is shown to be a partnership in the work of the gospel. In contrast, a warning is given against a leader who seeks power and refuses to welcome others, harming the unity of the church. Believers are encouraged to imitate what is good rather than what is evil, as goodness reflects God’s character. The letter concludes by affirming the value of faithful testimony and the importance of healthy leadership within the Christian community.

Jude

This letter urgently calls believers to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s people. False teachers are exposed as individuals who distort God’s grace into permission for immorality and deny the authority of Jesus Christ. Jude draws from Old Testament examples and historical judgments to show that God will not overlook rebellion or deception. These teachers are described as spiritually corrupt, self-serving, and destructive to the community of faith. Believers are encouraged to remain spiritually strong by building themselves up in faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, and staying in God’s love. The letter concludes with a powerful assurance that God is able to keep believers from falling and present them blameless in His glory.