2 JOHN 12 –   I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.”

As one reads the New Testament letters written by the Apostle Paul and John, pay attention not only to the contents and applications of them, but also the authors themselves. It is a worthwhile study to look at the mind and heart of the Apostles Paul and John.   As we do, one thing standing out tall is their love for people and fellowship with them.  Here are three examples – the Apostle John in today’s scripture and two from the life of the Apostle Paul.

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you  always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.  For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine (Romans 1:8-12). It is not difficult to see Paul’s intense longing to be with a group of believers he has not met before.  He wants desperately to be with them to be a blessing to them.

Another example of Paul’s love for and desire to be with God’s children appears in his first letter to the Thessalonians –  But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? (1 Thessalonians 2:17-19).   Fellowship, real sharing of life-on-life relationships with other Christians was Paul’s passion and it was opposed by the devil.  His evil obstruction emphasized the importance of face-to-face fellowship with other believers.

Now the application.  Are we desirous of such face-to-face relationships with other believers and making that desire a practice?  God has blessed us with technology that allows us to communicate.  We are doing that now, but screen time is insufficient to build strong Biblical relationships rooted in Christ. And “couch church” by livestream is equally insufficient.  We need face time and that isn’t found in social media or other non-physical means of communication.

Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). This command is a delight in every healthy Christian. And to love mandates face time and not through a screen.  It is a living sacrifice to invest in one another in things most important – the spiritual and eternal.  May the Lord give us such a passion and practice that was in the Apostles Paul and John – fellowship with other Christians.

PRAYER: “Lord, help me to be a ‘people person’ and take initiatives to love as Jesus ordered and modeled.”

QUOTE: “Christianity is about relationships and that requires time with believers and not through a screen.”