“The elder to the chosen lady and her children,

 

John is addressing a fellow believer – a chosen one.

 

Right off the bat John establishes this lady’s position in Christ.  

 

This is why he is going to all this trouble, this is why he is writing this letter, why he cares so much about her and why he loves her.  

 

She’s chosen.

 

It’s on the basis of her position in Christ – that he appeals to her in the truth.

 

“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.” – 2 Thess 2:13

 

Our relationship to the truth started with our relationship to the LORD. 

 

It finds its origin in our salvation.  

 

When the Spirit opened up our eyes to understand the truth and we believed it, a relationship was formed – an eternal bond.    

 

Do you want to know where you stand before God?  Ask yourself – “what is my relationship to the truth?”  

 

If I have come to know Christ, I have come to know the truth.  I have come to believe the truth and I have come to love the truth.  

 

In contrast to that, I place NO trust in anything that is contrary to the truth. Anything that stands in opposition to it or denies it holds no place in my heart.  

 

If this lady was not the LORD’s – nothing that is to follow in this letter would matter.

 

But she is, and it does.

 

She is no longer of those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, that is, to seek to restrain it – to hold it at bay.  Those who are in Christ embrace it, they allow it to go about unhindered in their lives. 

 

When John reminds her that she is chosen, he is reminding her – you believed the truth.  You trusted it, you submitted to it. 

 

Well, here now is truth – what are you going to do with it?

 

This has to be the starting point.  

 

how does the fact that we are chosen by God affect our relationship to the truth?

 

We respond to it. 

 

Only those who have been chosen by God are able to respond to such an appeal.  

 

“A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.” – Acts 16:14

 

RESPOND – to give attention to, bring a ship to land, to apply one’s self to.  

 

I like that picture of bringing a ship to land – Lydia is in the ship, she searching – and when she hears the gospel, the holy Spirit blows into her sails and she makes berth in the truth.  

 

God singled out Lydia and gave her the ability to understand the truth – took away that which was obstructing her vision – and she responded to it. 

 

This isn’t just a one-time thing in the life a believer – it’s a way of life. In fact, it is the only way of life for a believer.  Or maybe I should say, it’s the only way to be truly happy and content in Christ. Responding to the truth doesn’t stop at conversion.  Our belief was born because we responded to the truth, but it cannot grow in a vacuum – belief is strengthened and nourished because we continue to respond to truth.  This is an actionon our part.  

 

“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,” Col 2:6

 

How do we respond to the truth? – just a couple things to consider in regards to this. 

 

By paying attention to it – 

 

“So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention (same word, “respond”) as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.” – 2 Peter 1:19

 

“For this reason we must pay much closer attention (again, same word) to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.” – Heb 2:1

 

We cannot respond to something that we’re not paying attention to. 

 

Before Lydia responded to the truth what was she doing? 

 

“A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening…”

 

She was listening.  

 

It’s more than just hearing something – it’s to give attention to, to consider. 

 

Lydia was paying attention to the truth. 

 

We have a wonderful example of what this looks like in Mary –

 

“She (Martha) had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.” – Luke 10:39

 

How was she listening?

 

In reverence and attentiveness.  

 

Her posture was one of humility and respect. She’s at His feet.  It’s a position that recognized Christ’s authority – His Lordship.  This is the position in which we need to receive the word. A humble position is a receptive position. 

 

Closely tied to her reverence is her attentiveness – she is undistracted. 

 

There were other things Mary could have been doing – but she chose to listen to Christ’s word. 

 

As Christ said, “She chose the good part.” 

 

Listening is a choice, so is being distracted.  

 

Both Lydia and Mary chose to put themselves in a position to listen.  We have been privileged with so manyopportunities to hear the truth.  

 

But are we really listening to it? 

 

“So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place

 

When you are surrounded by complete darkness, maybe lost in a cave or a forrest – and you have a torch, are you going to throw it away?  That torch is your only lifeline, your only hope of making it out.  

 

God’s truth is such a light to us in the darkness of this world.  Disregard it and you’re going to get lost. 

 

By obeying it.

 

This follows closely after listening. Listening is purposeful.  Listening without the intent of application is merely hearing. Real listening turns a hearer into a doer.  

 

“Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive (to take hold of. Also, to welcome or to show hospitality to) the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” – James 1:22

 

Which are you? Are you merely a hearer? 

 

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.” – 1 Peter 1:1-2

 

We are chosen for the purpose of obedience. Do we realize that?  When we do not respond to the truth we are neglecting our purpose as God’s chosen. Something we need to consider…

 

We don’t know what this lady’s response was to this letter – this truth.  

 

But as we start to delve into it, I think this is a good place to start. We need to ask ourselves; how am I going to respond to truth?  Am I in a position to respond to it?  

 

First off –

 

Am I chosen? Am I in Christ? Am I even able to respond?

 

Secondly – 

 

Am I paying attention to truth? 

 

Thirdly – 

 

What is the posture of my heart before the truth?  Am I in a position to receive it?

 

Lastly –

 

Am I listening with the intent of being obedient?

 

Whenever we are in God’s word, we need to approach it purposefully. God has chosen us – He has given us the ability to respond to truth. So, we need to come before it ready to listen. 

 

Consider for next week:

 

V. 1-3 – What are some of the effects of the truth in the life of a believer?

 

 

-Augusta