WRITING IS NOT THE BEST WAY TO COMMUNICATE. 2 John 12

Why would career fishermen become writers? Talk about a career pivot. John explains why he writes:

“We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete” 1 John 1:4.

“I am writing you so that you may not sin” 2:1.

He says he writes to those who have been forgiven, know God, have victory over evil, and who know the Father, 2:12-14.

In chapter five he says he writes “so you may believe and KNOW that you have eternal life” v.13.

So why does John write letters to the believers?

1. To bring them joy.
2. To encourage good choices.
3. Because they know God, have been forgiven, and have experienced victory over sin (that is, maybe he’s writing to them because they have something in common; these are HIS PEOPLE).
4. Finally, he writes so people will be saved and KNOW it.

I get it. I could say to John, “you don’t have to convince me.” I understand the desire to write.

But that’s just it. John is a fisherman, not a writer. He has the wisdom NOT to prefer writing.

“Though I have many things to say to you, I don’t want to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to be with you and talk face-to-face so that our joy may be complete” 2 John 12.

John completed two letters with the same statement: I don’t want to write. I want to talk in person!

I love writing, email, texting, blogging, social media, online essays—all of it. But talking in person is better. In person, you have fellowship, emotion, love, touch, honesty. You have true dialogue in person; writing back and forth is not as good. Rick Bush and I used to exchange emails that were pages long—I might write two pages, then he would write two or three pages back—and it was all deep and well-written. But in-person is still better.

Remember—THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR TALKING IN-PERSON. Not even among good writers.

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