2nd John 3 GRACE, MERCY, PEACE A salutation in a letter indicates how one feels toward the person to whom the letter is addressed. John's second letter was a personal letter that opens wit words similar to those Paul used when writing personal letters to Timothy and Titus. All God's people need grace, mercy and peace, and appreciate it when they know other believers are praying for those things to be granted to those they love in the truth.
These three things cover all of God's dealings with us. Grace is favor, that God freely gives to those who do not deserve it. It gives delight to those who know they are incapable of meeting their own need and of doing that which is needed for the benefit of others. The natural man does not really like grace because it implies there are things that I cannot do for myself. It undermines my independence and my opinion of myself and my capabilities to meet my every need. It deflates my arrogance when I have to "call upon the name of the Lord" for salvation and for the grace that is needed for effective daily living.
God's mercy is genuine pity towards sinful man in distress, either because of guilt or neglect. Mercy is never in conflict with justice and truth, but is God's way of making it possible for us to be accepted by the holy God. God shows us mercy for Christ's sake by providing what we need through His infinite wisdom and love. We can obtain mercy when we call upon Him at the throne of grace. When we have been shown mercy, it is expected that we show mercy, compassion and forgiveness within the parameters of truth and love.
Peace is a description of our relationship with "God the Father" and "the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father." Peace is the result of all who have been "blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus." Peace is the result of grace and mercy being bestowed upon us. This prayer of John for the elect lady and her family is that grace, mercy and peace will be seen in that family when they promote truth and love. This is the sphere of life and service in which grace, mercy and peace have a place.
The source of all we have is the Father and the Son. This is in contrast to those who seek to find grace, mercy and peace in truth and love, from the ideas and writings of men. Philosophers and religious thinkers seek to find these things from their own meditation on some obscure thought they might have or have heard from someone else. Those whose conversations and opinions are heavily laced with words like, "I think," or "I have always said," or "My opinion is...," or "I have found," or "I have always believed...," are not those who have ever been to the true Source.
The errors of Gnostics in John's day are much like the false teachings in our day. Many professors say that truth is a personal preference. We hear totally foolish comments like, "Your truth is your truth. That is what you choose to believe, and it is that to which you are responsible. My truth is my truth, and may be different from yours, but that is what I choose to live by." These absurd ideas have permeated modern society, and are even taught by some educators. The word Oxford Dictionary chose in 2016 as the word of the year, is "post-truth." It is in this context we live in today. John made a statement that there is the reality of an absolute, unchanging standard of truth. God is the judge who made the standard and His truth will never be changed - nor will He change.
God's ways, standards and words are proven truth. Whatever contradicts, opposes or denies these edicts of His, is false. Deception is a work of Satan that is often embraced as a technique used to manipulate people. This is very dangerous because the outcome is eternal damnation. One person made a statement something like this, "All that is required for Deception to triumph, is for people of Truth to do nothing." Christian parents, teachers and preacher need to remember we are in a battle for the minds, souls and lives of those around us - especially our children. It is up to us to be able to define truth, defend it and teach it - and to identify that which is false and oppose it.
Three dignified honorable traits, came recently to visit me. Each one real and distinct from the other, and none that I could see. But when these three came in truth and love, I was called to halt and listen. What I heard them say was so wonderful, my eyes with tears did glisten.
Grace in gentle tones, quietly said, "I have something here for you. I first began to provide for you, that which one time you did eschew. Now, that you have experienced my saving power, I know you will agree, That what I have to give you each day from God, cost much, but to you it is free."
Another voice of deeper tones, said, "I knew that you were lost. For you to escape damnation in hell, there was going to be an awful cost. So, when I saw what Jesus paid, I met truth, and we signed a pact. Now I can assure you from God's holy word, your acceptance is a fact."
Another calm and reasonable voice said, "All that these have told you is true. I met righteousness, and we kissed each other, full forgiveness is for you. Rest in me," said peace so kindly, "I will always be by your side. The Father who answered other's prayers for you, says you with Him will always abide."
Contented I rest as those three wonderful friends daily do their work for me. I don't know now what tomorrow brings, "Whatever will be will be." Truth and love bind these three friends together in sweetest harmony - I will watch and wait with patience, until the face of my Lord I'll see.
"Father, please help Thy servant to find my life a comfortable place for Thee to dwell with me. And when it is right, please open any door You want me to go through, whether it be here on earth to serve Thee, or the door to Thy house above. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ., Amen."