Title: God of Grace, Mercy and Peace
(2 John 1:1-5)
1. Love for the Church
In verse 1, John says, “To the elect woman and her children.” Here, the recipient of the letter is a woman and her children, but this expression does not refer to a woman literally. This fact should be seen as meaning the saints belonging to the church in view of the teachings given to a community by the contents of the entire epistle.
The apostle John is testifying of his love for them in connection with the truth. Those who know the truth cannot but truly love the church of Christ and the saints. Because Christians are one community in the truth. Because the head of the church is Christ, and we are its members, we, the members, love the church and the saints very much.
Verse 3 is John's benediction, in which John said, 'Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us in truth and love from God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ.' Here we can see that 'grace, mercy, and peace are constantly flowing from God the Father and the Son. Grace refers to the gift of salvation planned by the Father and accomplished by the Son.
This gift is received from the Father and the Son through faith in Christ without merit. Mercy comes from the love of God and is a compassionate heart. The forgiveness of sinners and the grace of God all come from the mercy of the Father and the Son. We are people who live in the mercy of God. Without this mercy, we will find neither salvation nor hope.
After the resurrection, the Lord appeared to his disciples and said, 'I give you peace.' The peace we seek in the world is the worldly object that achieves that peace. Things like wealth, power, or fame. However, even if he takes these things, the desired peace does not come, and because of greater greed, anxiety, hatred, envy, and jealousy claim his life and lead him to ruin.
2. To whom do grace, mercy, and peace come?
Then to whom does such grace, mercy, and peace come? At the end of verse 3, the Apostle John said, “He will be with us in truth and love.” God's grace, mercy, and peace only dwell in truth and love. Where there is no truth, there is no grace, no mercy, and no peace. Where there is no love, there is no grace, no mercy, no peace.
Since all these things come down from God, truth and love are necessary for these things to stay there. Therefore, no matter how much the people of the world long for this kind of grace, want to receive mercy, and want peace of mind, they cannot enjoy it because there is no place to stay in such a person's heart or personality. Truth refers to Jesus Christ, and the person who came into the world as the Word of God is called truth. Because he alone gives us eternal life.
If the word of God abides in us, the grace, mercy, and peace of God always dwell in it. Grace, compassion, and peace can always be found in love and truth. The love here is not the moral, emotional, rational, and carnal love that is commonly spoken of in the world. It is love from God. Therefore, only where Jesus Christ is, there is love.
Only those who receive the love of Christ and live in that love can show this love to the world. Therefore, the Lord is telling us to love one another as I have loved you. Because only Christians can show God's love, He said, 'He is with us in truth and love.' In this way, God's grace, mercy, and peace are with you in love and truth.
Conclusion: For us, the God of grace, mercy, and peace is with us who live in love and truth, so that our lives can be saved.
It is to lead you into grace, mercy, and peace. May you receive the Lord's love and truth in your heart. God's overflowing grace, mercy, and peace will fill your life and lead your life beautifully.