Sometimes we think of the small books in the Bible having a small message. They feed us just as much. In these 13 verses of Second John we get an important picture. This is one of John’s last books. He was almost 100 years old when he wrote it. Shortly after writing Third John, he was exiled to Patmos where he wrote the book of Revelation. He was the only apostle still alive at the time. It was the turn of the first century since Jesus was born. There were lots of churches by this time scattered all over Palestine and into India, Spain, and Italy and into Gall (England). John knew the shape of the church and saw the incredible unity they had even though spread apart. He shared his burden. The word truth pops out several times. His point is stick with just the truth—at all cost.
II John
1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;2 For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us forever.3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
These are pertinent verses in this confusing and lawless time in which we live. We’re all aware of the dangers we face. We know these truly are the end days. There are many threats to us all, but the threat to the truth of God is also real. For some years there has been a deliberate working of Satan through the outlets of the world to distort and confuse us as to the validity of the Word, our belief in God, our belief in the moral standards of the Bible. Believers are attacked and made to feel uncertain of what we have been certain of down through the years.
Once-firm believers were being led away by the blend of Christianity with other religions and/or the philosophies of the day. It was a time of great learning. Much of the philosophy written during that time is still studied today. Satan used this and created a new form of Christianity that lured people away from the truth.
He wrote the book in an almost cryptic manner to avoid his words being taken by the false teachers and changed to suit their own teachings. In verse 1 he referred to the elect lady and referred to the people of God around the world. Verse 13 mentions the elect sister and meant the church near them. He wrote the verses to the point.
He began by telling them to love the truth. The emphasis on the importance of truth is heavy. They already had it; they didn’t need anything new. Remember how you felt when you were saved. You knew something happened. Truth had set you free. If others present another way, reject it. You have the Way. In verse 3 he tells us that God is the author of truth and only his perspective should be followed. God had one Son named Jesus Christ. He gave us one way of truth.
Whatever you do, take the word of truth and learn it. The enemy is well read; it behooves the church to learn and continually learn the Word. We need a daily experience with the Word. We need it daily just like we need our daily food. John didn’t want them to fall apart when he was gone. The truth would still be there. Verse 2 says it shall be with us forever. We have the truth today because those before us stuck with it. We have a responsibility to others to stick with the Word of God.
John saw the church living by the truth. Verse 4 says he found them walking in truth. I can say I believe the Bible all day long, but how do I live? The world says believe it but it doesn’t have to be practiced. We don’t define the Bible. It defines us. It is to define how we live. In verse 6 we see that the evidence of holding the truth is living by the standard. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. Many today will not look at God as one of holiness who will judge. They preach love, love, love and don’t judge anyone for anything they do. We must take the whole truth of God. There is a hell. God will judge. Verse 7 points out that there are deceivers and we shouldn’t trust them or their new concepts of truth or discovery. We need to check ourselves against the rule of the Word. Verse 10 tells us not to accept these new truths or the ones who bring them. If we don’t stick with the truth, we won’t make it. The devil wants us to let down our guard and lay down the Bible. We’ve all seen people fall away that we never thought would. Don’t give the devil one minute of your time.
What we have is what saved us. Don’t give entrance to the door of your heart to any other doctrine or “truth.” When those who try to sway you won’t accept the truth of God, don’t give them opportunities to keep after you. Keep the door shut on the deceiver.
He ended the chapter by saying there was so much to tell that it couldn’t be written down. We won’t always have the Bible with us. Sometimes we may not recall a verse exactly the way it’s written. We can have the essence of the truth in our heart. Keep it safe. Let it shine. One proverb says to buy truth and sell it not. Don’t sell out for anything else no matter how good it seems. Don’t trade the truth you have because it is the only truth.
Do as John said. Stick with just the truth.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 