2 John: Truth & Love
THERE ARE TWO equally extreme misconceptions many people have concerning what it means to be a Christian or to live the Christian life. One view says, "It doesn't matter what you believe as long as you are sincere and loving." The other one says, "It doesn't matter how you live as long as you believe the truth." The reason why both views are just as wrong is because the Word of God binds both truth and love inseparably together. They are friends, not enemies. Nowhere will you see this perspective more clearly than in John's second epistle. His major purpose is to demonstrate how love and truth are designed to support and complement one another as only good friends can.
Warming Up to God
Have you ever been in a situation where you felt you were torn between doing the right thing and the loving thing? Explain.
Read 2 John. »
Discovering the Word
- In the brief introductory address and greeting (vv. 1-3), notice how many times truth and love are mentioned together. What does it mean to love someone "in the truth" (v. 1)?
- We tend to love only those Christians who agree with us or who we feel are compatible with us. But what does it mean to love them "because of the truth" (v. 2)?
- In verses 4-6 the unity of truth and love is applied to our relationships within the church. What distinction is made between the commandment and the commandments?
- In verses 7-11 the unity of truth and love is applied to our relationships outside the church. By denying that Christ had come in the flesh (v. 7), what fundamental truths were the false teachers rejecting?
- Obtaining a future reward for faithful service was a strong motivation for John (v. 8). In what sense does the prospect of receiving a reward from Jesus Christ motivate you to walk in truth and love?
Applying the Word
- Would you identify yourself as someone whose truth needs to be balanced by love or whose love needs to be balanced by truth? Explain.
- What can you do to gain a better balance?
Responding in Prayer
Pray that your life would reveal an understanding of both truth and love.
For Further Study
Three Kinds of Love by Masumi Toyotome