John began this theme (in Chapter 2, Verse 18) on a rather negative note. For further study, read the articles in the section “General Epistles.”. SALUTATION: A MATTER OF TRUTH "The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth, for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love." The Bible says, “Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws” (Genesis 26:5). Andre van Belkum currently serves as the pastor of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, in New Zealand and the Pacific region. The truth dwells in the faithful Christian. Some say truth is a power play, a metanarrative constructed by the elite for the purpose of controlling the ignorant masses. "Just as you have heard from the beginning" John says. Diotrephes. And notice something else, though it had been many years since Jesus had ascended back into heaven and the gospel began to be proclaimed on the day of Pentecost, the commandments were the same as when the twelve had stood up and preached the first gospel sermon proclaiming Jesus as the Christ. But John says nothing about losing a part of anything. Brief Summary: John is writing with his usual strong emphasis on truth to this much-loved brother in Christ, Gaius, a layman of some wealth and distinction in a city near Ephesus. His word is true! Most scholars accept the long tradition that “the elder” mentioned in the opening verse was the elderly apostle John, as the writing reflects a voice of loving authority, and therefore suggests that the author is more than a local elder or member of the Church of God. (II JOHN 7-9). The basic message of Christianity is termed "the truth, " and believers know the truth, and can discern that no lie is of the truth ( 1 John 2:4 1 John 2:21). As Christians, we are to endeavor to actively walk in obedience to God’s commandments with our whole being, trusting in Him to help, support and mercifully forgive us upon repentance when we realize we have fallen short. Doctrine does matter! By faithfully and steadfastly walking along this way, we are doing “those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:22). In other words, they denied that Jesus was God in human flesh. God's communication is consistent with His nature. It has already been determined. Truth and obedience. Believers are of the truth, which no doubt means that they belong to Jesus, who is the truth ( 1 John 3:19). The false teacher must be shown that his teaching is unacceptable. The truth is being threatened by false teachers. We must follow the truth and have love for God and one another in order to receive the blessings. An icon used to represent a menu that can be toggled by interacting with this icon. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version (© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.). “The very shortness of these two letters [2 John and 3 John] is the best guarantee of their genuineness. One is that we are to walk in love and this means keeping the commandments of God. Read the Bible; Reading Plans ... 2 John 2. John uses the word "truth" no less than four times in just the salutation. Do not even wish them well in their work, because whatever encouragement or support we may give them will only serve to aid in the accomplishment of evil. Used by permission. Truth is that which matches its object. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" - John 14:6 [See Hebrews 1:1-3] Conclusion Previously he pastored congregations in southern Africa, including South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi. The truth that originates with God is not a temporary, passing phenomenon, but is “the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever” (2 John 2). Yes! John places a great deal of importance and emphasis on preserving the biblical truth within the Church. (II JOHN 1-3). The apostle states: “Whoever transgresses and does not abide [continue, remain, endure] in the doctrine [teachings] of Christ does not have God. Early Christians received the second epistle of John from the aged apostle in the latter quarter of the first century. He did not really die! John is pleased to see that some believers are sticking to the truth, but this implies that others are not. . 2 John 1:6 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] 2 John 1:6, NIV: "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." Take a Tour. It is not unusual for the Scripture to do so (EPHESIANS 5:22f; II CORINTHIANS 11:2; etc.). But the writer was an *elder overall the churches in a large area.Much of this letter is like John’s first letter. (II JOHN 1-3). He talked about heresies, about perversions of the truth, about the distortions and counterfeits that will exist from time to time, in cycles, throughout history. John was concerned that the members were being deceived into rejecting the truth of God and replacing truth with human-devised dogmas. As a result, he encouraged them to continue walking in the truth, thereby renouncing false teachers attempting to introduce beliefs contrary to the true doctrines Christ established in His Church. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. Truth is objective. To “walk” in truth before God means striving to follow and imitate the example Christ set: “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6). They are so brief … that no one would have gone to the trouble of inventing them and of attaching them to the name of John. This is the test and challenge confronting true Christians! Abraham enthusiastically responded to God’s command. Love is walking in God’s commandments (verses 4-6). 3. All rights reserved. This view that John is addressing a congregation is further supported by the fact that in some verses (6, 8, 10, 12) the plural is used when addressing the kuria, and therefore it is most likely a reference to a church rather than a specific person. Notice what John says concerning the "truth." His body was an illusion! Third John is the shortest book of the Bible: only 219 words (in its original Greek). We live in such a busy world. (II JOHN 10,11). It was "forever." The Bible identifies truth as a quality intrinsic to the very nature of God. came into the world to “bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37). Busy, busy, busy. The epistle (letter) called 2 John tells us it is from “the elder.”. “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He [Christ] walked” (1 John 2:6). 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