Is There a Reverse Side of Love?

Is There a Reverse Side of Love?

In my reading recently I learned that during the time of Christ the Roman Inns had a reputation so bad that rabbis would not permit cattle to be left at these inns. Because of this condition, traveling Christians would seek out other believers for hospitality. We find that early travelers were false teachers who said that Jesus was not the Messiah. This is why the letter of 2 John tells us that there is a time to refuse to give hospitality. In a previous letter John stated that these false teachers were "antichrist-denying the Father and the Son" (1John 2:22). As I read on it tells in 2John that whoever believes Jesus is the Messiah "has both the Father and the Son" (2 John 1:9).

There is a warning, "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your home or welcome them" (2 John 1:10). It appears to be actually stating that to extend hospitality to someone preaching a false gospel can serve to separate one from God. In this second letter is where we see the reverse side of God's love. We serve a God who welcomes everyone with open arms. But authentic love will not enable those who deceitfully harm themselves and others. God wraps His arms around those who come to Him in repentance, but He never embraces a lie.