Postcards

In these days of instantaneous electronic communications, hand-written correspondence is becoming more and more uncommon.  When is the last time you received a long, hand-written letter from a friend?  When is the last time you received a post card from a family member who was traveling to a fun destination for vacation?  The reality is that we can snap a photo with our mobile device and upload it to facebook or type a quick message for all the world to see.  It's faster, easier, and cheaper than taking the time and spending money on postage for a personal, hand-written message. And let's be honest, most of us get cramps in our hands from writing because we do it so infrequently these days.  A hand-written letter is much more personal, thoughtful, and meaningful.  Other than the actual written message itself, a hand-written note communicates to the recipient that someone thought about them and cared enough to spend the time, effort, and cash to send a letter.  It's a one-on-one message that tells someone they are special and loved.

The brevity of the books of 2 John, 3 John, and Jude brought postcards to my mind.  The authors of these very short books of the Bible thought carefully about what they wanted to write.  They were thinking of the recipients and chose the words to be meaningful and fit within a minimal amount of papyrus. In 2 John and 3 John, the author specifically mentions that he does not want to use paper and ink.  He clearly preferred to visit face-to-face with the recipients, but wanted to let them know that he was thinking of them.  Of course, both John and Jude had some choice words of encouragement and exhortation to share.

Keep Walking
John reminded the recipients of "the" command from the beginning:  they are to love one another.  As they walk in love, they are walking in obedience to God.  "Walking" requires action.  It means that we are to allow God's love to motivate us, care for others, and cover us as we go about our daily lives.  Many times, this is easier said than done, but God requires our obedience and His Spirit to guide us.  John provided a good example for us as he commended the believers for welcoming and providing for missionaries of the gospel.  Lastly, John instructed the believers not to imitate evil (gossip, pride), but to imitate good as it is from God.  Interestingly, he provided two examples of leaders that provided examples of good and evil.  One was worth imitating, the other... not so much.

Beware of Deceivers

John warned of teachers who did not acknowledge that God came to earth in the flesh as Jesus Christ as it is a core belief of the Christian faith.  It was common practice for "missionaries" to travel from town to town and stay in the homes of the local people.  John warned his fellow believers not to welcome people who did not believe in Jesus Christ or allow them to stay into their homes.  In other words, he told them not to support them or their "ministry" because of false teachings.  In my opinion, this is just as practical today as it was 2000 years ago.  Financially and otherwise, we need to only support ministries and missionaries who teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Godlessness will be Punished
In the opening sentences, Jude tells his recipients that he actually wanted to write about and celebrate the salvation they shared.  Instead, he was led to spend his time differently and write words of a strong warning about corrupt, godless people living among them.  Jude reminds the recipients of the historical reality of God's punishments for those not following His ways.  Jude warned against immorality, denying Christ, disbelief, and slander.  He reminded them that the people living immoral lives are "unclean" and nothing good will come from them.  They will receive eternal punishment.

Persevere
Just as John encouraged his recipients to "keep walking", Jude also encourages his recipients to continue walking in the truth and love of the Lord.  He encourages them to build themselves and others up in the faith, showing mercy to others who are struggling, but hating sin.  Although the godless will be separated from God on judgement day, those who have faith and hope in Jesus Christ will be united with God on judgement day.

Just as John and Jude were carefully penning words to their recipients, God was thinking of each of us when these "postcards" were written.  He carefully chose these words and addressed these letters to us.  We are special and loved, sisters!

But you, dear friends, 

build yourselves up in your most holy faith 

and pray in the Holy Spirit.  

Keep yourselves in God's love 

as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ 

to bring you to eternal life.

~Jude 20-21