Love in the Truth - 2&3 John
Lanse Evangelical Free Church
January 5, 2025 :: 2 John 1:1-13
When I was growing up, and leafing through my Bible during a boring sermon (something you can probably all relate to!), I would find these books towards the back, 1, 2, and 3 John, and I thought they were all written by different authors.
I thought it was this guy named "John" and this other guy named "John" and a third guy named "John," and they all wrote these short letters. 1, 2, 3 John.
But, I came to understand later that it’s much more likely that they were all written by the same John. In fact, they were probably written by the same John that wrote the Gospel of John which we studied all last year. John the Gospelwriter.
The style is the same, the substance is the same, and he uses the same words over and over again. Words like: Love, Truth, Command, Teach, Children, Walk, and Trust. Simple words but profound words. Like a little child can understand them, and yet an old person never gets to the bottom of them.
I think it’s the same John as who wrote the book we looked at last week, John the Revelator. The guy who ran with Peter to the tomb and who one day was exiled to a prison island. That guy named John.
Here he calls himself, “The Elder.”
This is a letter, and in those days, the author of a letter would put his or her name first. Like our emails do. Whom it’s from. John, who for a variety of reasons is fairly shy to use his name, put down, “The Elder.”
Which could mean “The Old Man.” That’s the basic meaning of the word “presbuteros” from which we get the word “presbyterian” like my Presbyterian pastor friend Dan here.
The older men in a village were those who would be called upon to lead. The older men in a church family were those who were called upon to lead the congregation. Not just any old men but those who were mature in their faith. We just had several of our church elders stand up here, and some of them are younger men, but they are mature Christian men who are called to lead the church in maturity.
John is speaking as one of them. As an elder. Probably an older elder.
Before he was exiled, John the Gospelwriter, John the Revelator, John the Elder wrote some letters to some of the people and the churches that he oversaw and loved.
A few years ago, we studied 1 John together, but we have never studied 2 and or 3 John during my time as your pastor. So I thought it was high time we did that at the beginning of this year. This week, we’ll study 2 John, and next week, Lord-willing, we’ll look at 3 John. A very short series about the shortest two books in the whole Bible. 3 John is the shortest at 219 words in the original Greek. 2 John has 245. Not a big long treatise. Just a short little letter.
A letter to, and here’s our title for today from verse 1:
“To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth and not I only, but also all who know the truth–because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever.”
What a great start!
Who is this that John is writing to?
I’m not 100% sure, but I have a good idea. It’s kind of weird. John doesn’t use his own given name, and he doesn’t use the given names for his recipients either. Not sure why. Perhaps he thought the authorities might be reading his mail, and he didn’t want to get someone into trouble. In 3 John, we’ll see next week, he does use the name of the recipient.
Some people have thought that this was a lady’s name. The Greek word for “Chosen” is “Electay,” so some people have thought that John was writing to “Lady Electa and her children.” And that’s possible, but I think unlikely as you read the rest of the letter. It doesn’t seem like it was written to just one woman.
I think John is writing to a local church. The “Chosen Lady” is John’s fancy way of talking about a church family that John loves. And “her children” are the church members, the disciples from that church.
Maybe I should start calling you all, “The Chosen Lady of Lanse.”
Chosen.
Followers of Jesus Christ know that they are loved by God in particular, by name. We are wanted. We are known. We are loved. We are chosen. [See 1 Peter 1:1-2.] Not because of anything great about us but because of God’s great love.
God has placed His love on His people. And while we don’t understand how all of that works, especially with our own responsibility to choose Him, we know and draw great comfort from knowing that we are chosen in Christ.
Lady.
The church is often personified as a bride. On Thursday, Heather and I got to attend the wedding of Dan and Jen’s daughter Rachel in Meadville. It was glorious, and the bride was resplendent. Every bride is a picture of what the Church is supposed to be–the joyful, radiant, beloved of Christ. I think that John is using this kind of language to write to a particular local church that he loved to remind them that they are loved. Very loved. Loved, not just by John the Elder but by God Himself.
“To the chosen lady and her children.”
I think that’s a great place to start as we step into 2025. With the love of God.
Church, we are loved by God.
We sang about it this morning:
“For God so loved
The world that He gave us
His One and Only
Son to save us
Whoever believes in Him
Will live forever.”
- We The Kingdom (2020)
And those who believe in Him find that they were chosen to believe in Him before the foundation of the world (see Ephesians 1:1-14).
They are loved. Very loved. Beloved. You are loved. Very loved by God Himself.
If you are a believer, you are a child of the chosen lady, and this letter is for you.
John says that he loves this church. Look again at verse 1.
“The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth...”
That’s the name of our very short series because he says the exact same thing in 3 John.
“Whom I love in the truth.”
That could mean, “Whom I truly love.” But I think it means more.
I think he means that he loves them inside of and through the truth. His love is in the truth, and the truth leads him to love them.
It’s both/and not either/or.
Some of us like the word “love” better than we like the word “truth.” And some of us like the word “truth” better than we like the word “love.” But John likes them both the same at the same time.
They go together like peanut butter and...chocolate!
Love in the truth.
If you love someone in falsity, then you don’t really love them. If you love people with lies, you aren’t really loving them no matter what you say. And if you only care about the truth and not other people, then your truth is a lie. But John says that he loves the chosen lady and her children IN THE TRUTH.
And he’s not the only one. Verse 1 again. “...and not only I, but also all who know the truth.”
If you know the truth, then you love the church. John says (v.2) “...because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever.”
Now, you know that this is John writing because of how he circles and weaves around. John is not like Paul who says something and then presents all of his arguments for it and then moves on to the next thing. John circles and weaves and returns again and again to the same ideas and shows how they are all interconnected. Like a giant web.
Here, the focus is on the truth:
“All who know the truth...
Because of the truth...
The truth lives in us...
The truth will be with us forever.”
And because of that truth, we love in truth. Do you see how it’s all interconnected?
What is the truth?
Remember when Pontius Pilate asked that question?
Well, John taught us in his Gospel that Jesus said that He is the Truth. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” The truth is the way things really are. The truth of the good news of Jesus Christ is how the world actually is. And John says that, for believers, the truth lives in us and will be with us forever.
And we get more than that! Look at verse 3.
“Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with us in truth and love.”
Grace, mercy, and peace.
That’s my prayer for us in 2025. That we would experience grace (unmerited favor, getting what we don’t deserve and not getting what we do deserve), mercy (getting the help which we desperately need but couldn’t provide for ourselves), and peace (inner peace, peace with others, and peace with God) from God the Father and from Jesus Christ (and we know that where they are the Spirit is, too).
That we would have grace, mercy, and peace in truth and love. Doesn’t that just sound wonderful? John promises that it will be ours if we belong to Jesus. All of the grace, all of the mercy, and all of the peace that we need in Christ.
That’s how John starts his letter. That’s the “hello.”
Now, John says that he loves this chosen lady and her children. He loves them “in the truth.” And that means that he might have to say some hard things to them. If you love someone in the truth, then you tell them what they need to hear not just what they want to hear.
Especially if you are “the Elder,” and it’s your job to try to help keep the church on track.
John has some concerns. John is encouraged by some things about this church, and he’s got some worries for them, as well. He wants to make sure they stay on track. He has some things he wants them to do. nd I think that they are all very applicable and appropriate for us as we start a new year as a church, as well.
I’d like to summarize them in three points. Here’s number one.
#1. WALK IN THE TRUTH.
Look at verse 4.
“It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.”
You want to know how to make the Old Man happy? Have him run into disciples who are truly living out what Jesus taught us. Walk in the truth.
Apparently, John has encountered some of the children of the chosen lady (some of the disciples from that church). And they were "doing the thing!" They were “walking in the truth,” that is, that they were believing the truth and living in light of the truth. These disciples were obviously living the way that Jesus had taught them. They had received the gospel and were living as though it were true (which it is!). I call that “doing the thing.”
They weren’t just talking the talk, they were walking the walk. They were “doing the thing.”
And that just made John as overjoyed as the wise man seeing the star above where the baby was!
Hooray! These “kids” are following the gospel! These “kids” are living it out. Their lifestyle, their ethical conduct, their life choices reflected the truth that have been taught. Nothing makes a Christian pastor happier than to see disciples living like disciples. Christ-followers living like Christ-followers. Men and women conforming their life to the truth.
This wedding we were at on Thursday is a good example. Both Danny and Rachel were student athletes at Grove City College. Rachel was a swimmer ,and Danny was on the lacrosse team (whatever that is). And they had like all of their teammates at this wedding. Four years worth of two big teams at this one wedding. There were so many young people. There was like 250 people at this wedding and at last 100 of them were young adults! And they were so happy for Danny and Rachel.
And many of them [most of them?] were followers of Jesus Christ.
So when Pastor Dan (Pastor Dad) gave the wedding message, they were all nodding away in agreement. Dan was talking about this new couple building their marriage on the cornerstone of Jesus Christ. Danny’s last name is Stone, so they were “setting the stones” for their marriage. Get it? And this whole group of young people were enthusiastically on board with this teaching.
I’m sure that was encouraging to you, Dan and Jen. It gave you great joy.
But these “children” in verse 4 are not just young people, not just young disciples. This is any and all of the disciples from a given church of any age walking in the truth.
I think about when Pastor Kerry reports about any of our Free Churches and how they are living out the truth in their communities, and how much joy that brings to him and to all of us who hear about it.
We shouldn’t just obey because it makes the elders happy, but it is so encouraging when we see someone living (v.4), “just as the Father commanded us.”
So here’s our application:
Find out what is true, and walk in it.
As you step into 2025, find out what is true and walk in it. Learn what Jesus has said and do that!
And here’s one of the key things that Jesus has said. It’s point number two.
#2. WALK IN LOVE.
Specifically love for other followers of Jesus. Look at verse 5.
“And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.”
You see why I don’t think the “lady” is a lady? I don’t think that John would say to some woman, “I ask that we love one another.” No, I think he’s talking to a whole church. A lot of these “you’s” in this epistle are “plural you.” Like we said last week, “y’inz.”
John is reminding this church, this chosen lady, that we Christians are supposed to love one another.
Does that sound familiar? I think we just recited our memory verse from last year. John 13:34&35 which is blazoned across the bulletin board in the foyer. On the night He was betrayed, Jesus told His disciples:
“A new command I give [y’inz]: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
In verse 5, John says that that command is no longer new. They’ve had it since that fateful night. They’ve had it since Jesus showed them how. But even though it’s not new, it’s still very much in effect.
“I ask that we love one another.”
John got the message. The question is, have we? Do we love one another? Do we walk in love?
It’s not easy. It’s not easy to love in general, but sometimes some of the hardest people to love are other Christians. We are different from each other. We are not all the same. And we tend to think that another Christian ought to know better and act better, so it’s harder to extend grace and mercy towards them.
Often we wouldn’t pick each other. You know other groups get to pick who they love. You love your family. You love your political tribe. You love your sports team. You love your fandom. But we Christians don’t get to pick. We just get to love.
And not just when we are lovable. Jesus didn’t just love us when we were lovable. He loved us when we were His enemies!
How are you doing at loving other Christians? If you remember, Jesus went on and on about it in the Gospel of John. It’s not always easy to do, but He showed us the way, and He expects it of us. That’s the point of verse 6.
“I ask that we love each other. 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.”
This kind of love is not optional. There are kinds of love that are optional. You don’t have to feel affection for someone else. That comes and goes. But this kind of love, sacrificial, committed, seeking the best for someone else, that is not optional for followers of Christ. We are commanded to walk in love.
I know it was our theme for ‘24, but I hope we don’t set aside in ‘25! Let’s make every effort to walk in love this year.
John has one more major things to ask in this short letter. And it’s probably the thing he’s most worried about for this particular church at this particular time. He’s concerned about some false teachers that are in circulation.
#3. WATCH OUT FOR FALSE TEACHING.
Walk in the truth.
Walk in love.
And watch out for false teaching and false teachers. Look at verse 7.
“Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully” (vv.7-8).
Jesus warned His disciples that this would happen. False teachers with a false message would spill out into the world. You know how we have missionaries who take the gospel out into the world? Well, there are missionaries who take the anti-gospel out into the world, as well.
They spread lies about all kinds of things but especially about Jesus. Do you see what lie these particular false teachers were spreading? Verse 7 says that they do not acknowledge or confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh.
They don’t believe in Advent!
They don’t believe in Christmas.
They don’t believe in the Incarnation.
They don’t believe that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh.
They don’t believe in John chapter 1, verse 14. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (Jn. 1:14).
These guys say, “No, that’s not true. Jesus is not the Son of God or God the Son. And He’s not shown us God’s glory. And He’s not come from the Father. And He’s definitely not come in the flesh. He’s not become one of us.”
Now there are all kinds of variations on this false teaching. And the church has had to encounter and counter all the variations throughout church history. And this is not the only dangerous false teaching that is out there.
But this false teaching is heinous because if you believe this, then you are denying the salvation that Jesus was bringing by becoming one of us and dying as one of us. If Jesus Christ has not come in the flesh, then He did not die in the flesh nor pay for our sins in His death nor rise again in the flesh nor come again in the flesh to give us eternal life.
You see what John says about someone who spreads this kind of teaching in verse 7?
“Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.”
Everybody wants to know who the antichrist is?!
John has told us about the antichrist in 1 John chapter 2 and 2 John verse 7. That’s the only places in the Bible that uses that word “antichrist” which means “instead of Christ” and “against Christ.”
And John tells us who is the antichrist. It is the person who goes around teaching that Jesus Christ has not come in the flesh.
Now, there’s more to the theology of antichrist, but it’s not less than this.
Someday, there will be an antichrist of antichrists who does this to the deception and false teaching to a degree that nobody else ever has and who tries to take the very place of Jesus. But John says, “You want to know who is the antichrist? It’s a missionary who says, ‘Jesus Christ has not come and is not coming in the flesh.’ Stay far away from them!”
“Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.”
Many translations have the word “we” in verse 8 (including the updated NIV).
“Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for...” John and the other apostles have been diligently sharing the truth with them for decades. They are willing to be imprisoned for the truth. They are willing to die for the truth of Jesus Christ.
Don’t run away from this truth! But stick with it and be rewarded. Look at verse 9.
“Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.”
That’s how important this is! John says, “Don’t run off with some false teaching that proclaims to be new and improved and better and advanced.” That’s what he means by “run ahead.” As if this other gospel was a better gospel.
It isn’t. There is no better gospel. Stick with the gospel of Jesus Christ or you do not have God (v.9).
Those are scary words. But you don’t have to be scared. Verse 9 says continue in the teaching (walk in the truth) and you will have both the Father and the Son (and we know the Holy Spirit, as well).
Beware of false teaching and false teachers.
Now, in verse 10 and 11, John warns the chosen lady and her children to not take these false teachers into their homes.
He’s not saying that we shouldn’t love people who are caught up in false teaching. We definitely should! And we can feed them and house them if they are in trouble.
But we should not support them and their work. That’s what he’s saying in verse 10.
“If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching [the true gospel of Christ coming in the flesh], do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work” (vv.10-11).
You see, in that day, there was no Holiday Inn Express. And if a traveling teacher came to town, they looked for a home to stay in. And if you took someone in and made your home a base camp for their mission work, then you were endorsing them, certifying them, investing in them, and supporting them.
In many ways, like how you support me. You just gave me a generous Christmas gift. Thank you for that! Heather and I really appreciate it. And you support us all throughout the year. But if I start preaching a false gospel, then you should toss me out on my ear. Cut off my housing allowance. Cut of my salary. Do not “welcome me” in that way.
And you shouldn’t send money to false teachers you hear on the radio or see on tv or who send you letters in the mail. John is warning us to not be aiding and abetting the enemy.
Watch out for false teaching and don’t support them.
That doesn’t mean don’t love them. We are supposed to be the most loving people on the planet.
But we love in the truth. We love the truth. It’s inside of us. It will be with us forever. And so we support the truth. We don’t support the lies. If you support the false teachers, you share in their wicked work (v.11).
In 2025, we must be careful what messages we receive and what messages we amplify. Because we love the truth, and we love in truth.
John loved this church so much. He couldn’t wait to visit them in person. Verse 12.
“I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. The children of your chosen sister send their greetings.”
I think that’s the church John’s at right now. The disciples at this church send their love to the disciples at that church. “The children of your chosen sister send their greetings.”
There’s much to be learned from verses 12 and 13, but he says something very similar in 3 John, so we’ll save that for next week and move over to Table.
But feel the love there, at least. John loves them. He longs to be with them. The one church loves the other church. And under it all is the love of God. The chosen sister sends love to the chosen lady.
Because they are loved. Very loved.
We are loved. Very loved. Beloved in Jesus Christ.
Beloved, in 2025, let us walk in the truth, watching out for false teachers and false teaching, and walk in love just as were taught from the beginning and show how by our own Lord Jesus Christ.
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