2 John 1:1 “The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth…”
2 John 1:12 – 13 “I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come and speak with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. The children of your elect sister send you greetings.”
We read these vague salutations and scratch our heads. Why be so indefinite? Why not just come out and address the recipients of the letter by name? What is the problem?
Remember that by the time John was writing these letters, the persecution of Christians had already begun. Paul had already been beheaded and Peter might have already been crucified. John was actually the only original disciple who did not die a martyr’s death, but he endured living martyrdom when exiled to the salt mine island of Patmos.
Letters had to be carried by messengers, some of whom might prove to be untrustworthy if they were tortured enough. Here we see an old man with a heart full of love writing to those whom God has entrusted to his leading. Christians were meeting in houses, in caves, in open fields, and even in the Catacombs below the city of Rome. It was far preferable to keep wording as vague as possible; that way, any letter falling into the wrong hands would not lead to betrayal and death for innocent believers. These salutations were probably not that different from the secular ones employed by letter writers of that period. At the same time, John wants to assure those who receive the letter that he hopes to visit them personally.
E-mails, texts, Tweets, Instagram, Face Book messages – there are all kinds of ways in which printed communications can appear these days in addition to traditional “snail mail.” But all of these forms of communication have one thing in common: once a statement is in print in any form, it assumes a life of its own and the original writer has no control over it! Friends working in closed countries have warned us to keep any messages to them in very neutral language to avoid accidentally betraying them to authorities hostel to the Gospel. One large church in Birmingham, Alabama had to disband several ministries after one pastor “liked” a single tweet by a controversial political figure. A local politician used that single “like” to blame the church for all kinds of things. The net result? a big free clinic catering to the poor, outreaches and help in housing developments, and a host of other programs were canceled. All because of a single “like!”
Those of us who have enjoyed religious freedom need to appreciate what we have had and to pray that God continues to protect that freedom. But remember that throughout the world, there are Christians worshiping despite the threat of martyrdom. Christians are being killed in northern Nigeria and in southern Sudan. Churches are being bull dozed in China. The list of countries in which Christians face persecution grows daily. As we pray and as we worship, let us remember all those in the persecuted Church and let us thank God for the freedoms we currently enjoy.
PRAYER: Father God, we thank you that “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” We thank you that your hand is not shortened and that you always hear our prayers wherever we are. Lord, we lift up those facing persecution for their faith. Protect them, guide them, guard them, keep them, and strengthen them. Send them special tokens of your Love. And help those of us who are not currently facing persecution never to take freedom of worship for granted. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
Burunche's Blog 
Leave a comment