Walking In The Truth

Walking in the Truth

That You May Know

2 John

This short letter shows us how to keep love within safe boundaries by building into our lives two solid riverbanks:  . 

1. We must the truth  (vv. 1-3)

-Jesus Christ is “the truth.” (John 14:6)

-God’s Word is “truth” (John 17:17).

-God has given us “the Spirit of Truth” to teach us and so that we will know the truth  (John 14:16, 17; John 16:13).

“Our love grows soft if it is not strengthened by truth, and our truth grows hard if it is not softened by love.”       -John Stott

If we love someone unconditionally, but that love is taking us away from our love for God, maybe we need in the relationship. 

1 John 2:23

2. We must the Truth (vv. 4-6)

John 13:34, 35

We may not be able to will our emotions, but we can ‘will’ our . 

 “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”            1 John 4:20

1 John 2:3-5

3. We must the truth (vv. 7-11)

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 and 4:4, 5

What is the content of this basic Christian “teaching” that John is talking about?

• the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:21)
• the Tri-unity of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—Creator of all things (Genesis 1-2; Matthew 28:18-20)
• the fallen condition of humanity and the need for God’s grace (Genesis 3; Romans 3:23)
• the Virgin Birth, the full deity and the full humanity of Christ, and His sinless life (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-20; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1, 14; 8:53-58; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:3, 8; 4:15)
• the substitutionary death of Christ for our sins, and His miraculous, bodily resurrection (Romans 5:6-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 9:22, 26; 1 John 1:7, 9)
• the ascension of Christ and His present ministry to the believer through the Holy Spirit (John 14:12-21; Acts 1:6–9; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 4:7-10)
• the literal, future return of Christ to the earth (John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Deceivers excel at hiding their true beliefs and we need !!

Principles for balancing truth and love:

• Loving others is the expression of authentic Christianity. 
• Embracing the is equally vital.   
• When error is recognized, love must be kept within its . 

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”  1 Peter 3:15

“Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”   Ephesians 4:15

Daily Mediations

Memory verse: “And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.”   2 John v. 6

Monday

Read 2 John.  According to verses 1 and 2, to whom was this letter addressed and why?

In what way does truth live in us?

When has it given you joy to see another believer walking in the truth?

Tuesday

Read 2 John.  What unique characteristic do Christians have according to verse 2? What’s the significance of this?

In verse 3, what did the elder say would be with him in truth and love?

What does it mean to continue in the teaching of Christ?

Wednesday

Read 2 John.  According to verse 4, what gave the elder great joy?

What command did the writer give to his readers in verse 5 and why do you think this is important?

How would welcoming someone without correct teaching about Christ be sharing in his or her wickedness?

Thursday

Read 2 John.  Define love as it’s mentioned in verse 6.

What did many false teachers of John’s day deny? See verse 7.

How would you say we should avoid false teachers without being cold or inhospitable?

Friday

Read 2 John.  What did the elder encourage his readers to do in verse 8?

What is true about someone who does or does not continue in the teaching of Christ?  See verse 9.

According to verses 10 and 11, who was the reader of this letter not to welcome into their home? Why?

Saturday

Read 2 John.  According to verse 12, why did John not want to write all that he had to say and what do you think should be the implications of this for us?

What can you do today to continue in the teaching of Christ? List as many as you can think of. 

Diving deeper: “Scripture Twisting: 20 Ways Cults Misread the Bible” by James Sire, InterVarsity Press