2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which we have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward. We are to be our own inspectors. Yes, we are to keep each other accountable, but primarily we are to take readings of ourselves. The context of the passage is that we are walking in love. This is the greatest commandment. Paul spoke of this in 1 Cor 13, “If I speak with the tongues of angels, but do not have love I have become a sounding brass or a clanging symbol. If I have the gifts of prophecy, knowledge or faith (so as to move mountains), but do not have love, I am nothing.” If I give great gifts and am a martyr by burning, it profits me nothing without love. Today’s passage speaks of keeping our reward. I Cor 13 also speaks of the profit gained. The acts may be big and dramatic; they may cause wonder, but if the motive isn’t love, it doesn’t help the giver. How can we determine if we are loving? Look at our motive. Are we seeking to promote ourselves? Are we hoping that we will be noticed? Do we have to tell people? Any of these signs are of the person who does loving things, but from wrong motives. Sometimes our love will grow cold. In this case there aren’t loving actions. We may have grown bitter or possibly our actions weren’t received well. These things can make us grow calloused. We need to love even if our actions aren’t rewarded. There is nothing wrong with enjoying people’s gratitude. But it can’t be the sole reason we do it. We need to love in spite of the response. He wants to give us a full reward. This doesn’t mean we have to be perfect. Part of love is doing it out of obedience. At times we won’t want to. It feels rigid and forced. Do it anyway. Often times the feelings follow. Much of the reward comes at present. The scriptures say that He gives us “fullness of joy.” He will also bless our circumstances. He will out give us. One of the minor prophets speaks of this. Generally paraphrased, it says, “give and see if I won’t open up the heavens and pour out a blessing; overflowing, pressed down, shaken together,…” God wants us to test Him in this. There will be a heavenly reward. This is exciting, but it’s hard to conceive. I’m content with eternal salvation, but the reward says it’ll be awesome. Lord, thank You that You love us and want us to walk in love. Help us to gauge ourselves to keep ourselves in love.