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A short passage this week to close John's second letter.

'Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete. The children of your elect sister greet you.' (2 John 1:12-13)

Paper and ink

I love this passage, because it betrays something of the heart of Christian culture. Despite the fact that John has plenty he could, and should, be writing to this church, he does not want to use paper and ink to do it with. I wonder what he would think of us in the current technological age, in which we constantly communicate via e-mail and text message. John would far rather communicate his messages face-to-face. The application for this is quite simple; we must endeavour as Jesus' church to be committed to meeting together. Ever since the early church began there has been a risk that the church would not meet (see Hebrews 10:25), and we must jealously guard this as a core principle. I know that churches have started internet campuses and social networking websites, but we must never stop being in and out of one another's homes. Leaders meetings should actually be meetings, and should happen regularly. Here's a challenge: if you're not spending time with your church in some context at least twice in the week, I don't think you're meeting with the church enough.

Joy again

John loves this word, and this phrase 'that our joy may be complete'. There is a logical conclusion here that if John did not meet with this church face-to-face that his joy would be incomplete. He would have some level of joy, of course - he has received assurance of an eternal joy-filled destiny with God in Christ - but even that would feel somehow incomplete if he was not meeting with this church. I've said this before, as have others, and I'm sure it's a message that will continue to be preached: there's no such thing as a solo Christian. Some influential authors and speakers who take the title Christian have spoken out over the last years telling Christians to leave 'organised religion' to 'return to our roots'. I am telling you right now that if you are not fully stuck into a local church (and by that I mean (a) attending Sundays regularly, (b) serving in some capacity, (c) giving generously, and (d) gathering in smaller groups outside of Sundays) you are seriously missing out on a phenomenally large and joyful part of Christianity. I love reading Christian blogs, participating in forums, and listening to 'worship CDs', and messages but if this ever begins to replace your participation in a local church I'm telling you you're missing out. Please get stuck in, so that your joy may be complete.

"Refreshment in Refuge" from Gina Burgess

Things that go bump in the night