The last seven epistles in the New Testament are commonly known as the General Epistles because they are (for the most part) not directed to a specific audience. Here’s how I think about it: Paul’s epistles are titled based on their recipients (kind of like sorting your email by the “To” line). The General Epistles—James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1-3 John, and Jude—are named after their authors (kind of like sorting your email by the “From” line).
Here’s what I learned from studying these epistles last month:
1. We should dedicate our greatest efforts to supporting and guiding our children.
John wrote, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 1:4). If our greatest joy comes from the spiritual growth of our children, then we should put our greatest efforts into strengthening and encouraging them.
We should strive to create an environment of love in our home, where our children feel secure. John’s declaration, “There is no fear in love” (1 John 4:18), applies both to the giver and to the receiver of that love.
And as parents, it’s important to be prepared to teach and testify when our children are ready to listen and learn. We should follow Peter’s counsel to “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15), especially if that “every man” is one of our own children!
2. God’s love and light can help us endure adversity.
“Let patience have her perfect work,” counsels James (James 1:4). In other words, when you’re going through something hard, don’t give up. There is a reason you’re going through this, and when that purpose is accomplished, the trial will end. Let the trial do its job.
If we can remember God’s perfect love for us, that can sustain us through difficult times. John wrote, “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). God is filled with light, and His light can fill us even when we are surrounded by darkness. (See 1 John 1:5.)
3. God will help us develop the divine nature that is within us.
Peter testified that we can be “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4), meaning that God is willing to share His nature with us. In reality, because we are His children, we already have a divine nature, albeit in embryonic form. If we let Him, God will help us develop Christlike attributes, including faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly and sisterly kindness, and charity.
The specific actions we take to receive that help are called the doctrine of Christ. If we remain on the path that is delineated by that doctrine, we will have the companionship and assistance of both the Father and the Son. (See 2 John 1:9.)