Truth: Practicing It, Defending It, and Living Under It

2 John 1

“Truth is always strong, no matter how weak it looks, and falsehood is always weak, no matter how strong it looks.” Phillips Brooks

John wrote his second letter to an anonymous Christian woman whose home was open for God’s people to meet for fellowship and worship. The emphasis is on truth and love, and John points out three dangers believers must avoid-- Knowing the truth but not practicing it, Practicing truth but not defending it, Going beyond the truth.

“The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love. 4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 5 And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.” 2 John 1–6 (ESV)

Scripture is clear that we must walk in truth and walk according to His commandments clarified in His Word. The Word of God is meant for doing and not just knowing. “If we say,” but do not obey, we are hypocrites.

“For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward... If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.” 2 John 7–8, 10–11 (ESV)

Dr. Tony Evans writes, “It doesn’t matter how eloquently a person speaks or what social causes he or she advocates. If that person suggests Jesus is anything less than the eternal Son of God who became a sinless man, died to atone for sins, and rose from the dead, he or she is the deceiver and the antichrist. The antichrist is coming and will appear during the great tribulation, but little antichrists are active now. The category of antichrist applies to those who oppose and replace Christ. God has rewards in store for his followers. Most of those are reserved for our heavenly eternity. But if you are unfaithful and allow yourself to be tricked regarding the truth, you can lose some of what God has in store.”

Warren Wiersbe writes in his Word Commentary, “The enemy is busy, and we must oppose him. Love must be balanced by truth, or you will start supporting lies in the name of love. It is easy to lose what you have gained by making friends with the wrong people.”

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,” Ephesians 4:15 (ESV)

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9–11 (ESV)

Many actions from Christians and Christian leaders in our current culture are quite misguided on the thoughts of loving others, as many are embracing the sinful actions of others in the name of love. But is it love? Do you really love someone if you allow them to remain on the road to eternal death and destruction?

“Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.” 2 John 9 (ESV)

The word transgress means “to go beyond.” When you go beyond God’s Word, you are going too far. It is not progress but regress. Beware anybody who has something to add to your Bible.

“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” Revelation 22:18–19 (ESV)

What is truth? What does love mean to you? How do you describe God’s truth and love? In a world that questions truth or defines it relatively, how do you defend the truth? Is it easy for you to love those who are different than you? How do you respond those who distort love and acceptance?
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“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:11–12 (ESV)

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