Truth, 27 October 2024, 2 John
Truth
Little Letters: 2 John
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
October 27, 2024
Series Big Idea: Little letters can contain big lessons.
Big Idea: In a world where truth is often based upon feelings, Jesus is the truth.
When is the last time you sat down and wrote a letter…with paper…and pen? For decades now I’ve been using electronic mail most every day, but occasionally I’ll search for a pen and stationery and handwrite a note or letter. I must confess my penmanship has declined from lack of use!
We’re spending the next four weeks leading up to the holidays looking at three little letters, small books contained within the library we call the Bible. They are often overlooked in favor of larger works such as the gospels, Romans, or Hebrews, but they are obviously important or they wouldn’t be included in what is known as the canon of scripture.
The book of 1 John is longer and may be examined next year, so we’re beginning with 2 John. All of these letters are at the back of your Bible, right before the book of Revelation.
This is a common first-century letter, probably written on a single piece of papyrus with one main theme, in this case truth.
What is truth? Pilate asked this question during a conversation with Jesus in John 18:38 and I think it’s brilliant! Like many words, truth has multiple meanings. It’s a complex idea that has been debated for generations. The Enlightenment in the late 17th and 18th centuries was the Age of Reason, emphasizing science and rational thought. Modernism followed in the 19th century with ideas of universal narratives and objective truth. Postmodernism philosophy challenged such ideas in the 20th century questioning truth itself leading to relativism.
I always liked the postmodern declaration, “There’s no such thing as absolute truth.” Is that true?!
Today it seems many define truth as whatever I feel, which is more than a little disturbing. People talk about “my truth” and “your truth,” but is everything truly subjective? What if I feel differently tomorrow? Is it any wonder our society is so broken and confused? We can’t seem to agree on anything because we’re drowning in lies, opinions, and emotions.
Before we look at today’s letter, I want to share with you my favorite definition of truth from the lips of Jesus.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)
Truth is not a bunch of propositional statements but ultimately it’s a person, Jesus! He’s the one we worship. He’s our authority. He’s the reason we’re here, not me, not College First, not the Churches of God, General Conference. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
The little letter of second John begins…
The elder,
To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: (2 John 1-2)
The elder is likely John the Apostle. The “lady” is likely a house church or the female leader of a house church, with “her children” being its members or a daughter church. Notice the three mentions of the truth in these two verses.
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love. (2 John 3)
The original Greek word for truth, aletheia, appears yet again, this time alongside his favorite theme of love. John is obviously offering words of introduction and blessing.
It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. (2 John 4)
There it is again…truth. John says only “some” of the church members are walking in the truth. Are you? The question is not do you know truthful things. It’s not can you win a Bible trivia contest. We’re not speaking of even intellectual assurance of the reality of Jesus. Even demons believe in Jesus. They used to work for him!
The question is are you walking in the truth? Are you following Jesus? Does your lifestyle resemble his?
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. (2 John 5)
Love one another (Mark 12:28-31; John 15:17; Romans 13:10; 1 John 2:7-11). This is so simple yet challenging, at times. It’s easy to love the loveable. It’s not hard to love someone who agrees with you. Jesus said plainly,
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
It’s no secret that Christians in our nation have not done this well, especially in the midst of cancel culture. For some, this political season is a real test. Democrats, can you love Republicans? They’re in the room! Republicans, can you love Democrats? They’re in the room, too. Let me declare emphatically both parties are deeply flawed, as are their representatives. I have preferences and opinions like everyone else, but contrary to what some have said, there is no perfect, godly party. We need to worship the Lion and the Lamb, Jesus Christ, not an elephant or donkey.
I encourage you to take advantage of the privilege of voting, not only for president but also other candidates and issues. Study carefully, which is challenging given the lack of truth in our media and candidates. It’s important to vote, but far more important to love, especially within the Church. This includes social media!!!
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. (2 John 6)
I believe obedience is Jesus’ love language, and that obedience is first and foremost to love. In one conversation,
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. (John 14:23-24)
How did we get so distracted, so easily offended, so divisive and judgmental?
Now after talking about truth and walking in love, the purpose of the letter is announced.
I say this because 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. (2 John 7)
Jesus is fully God and fully human, something of a mystery, but clear from scripture. Throughout history some have said Jesus is God but not human, while others believed Jesus was human but not God. He is both!
Wake up, Church! There were deceivers then. Many! There are deceivers now. This is why we need to study the scriptures. We need to know what it says…and what it doesn’t say. I want to establish trust with you, but always fact check my words with scripture. The Bible is our final authority, not me. I’m human, sinful, and capable of error, though I have committed to preaching the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God!
Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. (2 John 8)
Watch out! I must confess throughout my life I’ve been trusting…to a fault. I’ve been naïve, believing everyone has pure motives, good intentions, and speaks the truth. I have grown in this area, praise God, but I still have growing to do. I need to be vigilant, think critically, examine the fruits, and protect the flock that God has entrusted to my care and that of the Elders (that’s you!).
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. (2 John 9)
It’s sad this has to even be said, but this is how cults have been started.
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. 11 Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work. (2 John 10-11)
We want to promote hospitality (more next week!). We want to welcome anyone who is seeking after God, but deceivers who deny the scriptures are not welcome here, especially if they have an agenda to influence others. False teaching is contagious!
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. (2 John 12)
This little letter is meant to tide them over until they can be together in person.
The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings. (2 John 13)
Sister might refer to a woman or likely a sister-church.
So What?
In a world where truth is often based upon feelings, Jesus is the truth.
Know Jesus, know truth.
No Jesus, no truth.
Little Letters: 2 John
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
October 27, 2024
Series Big Idea: Little letters can contain big lessons.
Big Idea: In a world where truth is often based upon feelings, Jesus is the truth.
When is the last time you sat down and wrote a letter…with paper…and pen? For decades now I’ve been using electronic mail most every day, but occasionally I’ll search for a pen and stationery and handwrite a note or letter. I must confess my penmanship has declined from lack of use!
We’re spending the next four weeks leading up to the holidays looking at three little letters, small books contained within the library we call the Bible. They are often overlooked in favor of larger works such as the gospels, Romans, or Hebrews, but they are obviously important or they wouldn’t be included in what is known as the canon of scripture.
The book of 1 John is longer and may be examined next year, so we’re beginning with 2 John. All of these letters are at the back of your Bible, right before the book of Revelation.
This is a common first-century letter, probably written on a single piece of papyrus with one main theme, in this case truth.
What is truth? Pilate asked this question during a conversation with Jesus in John 18:38 and I think it’s brilliant! Like many words, truth has multiple meanings. It’s a complex idea that has been debated for generations. The Enlightenment in the late 17th and 18th centuries was the Age of Reason, emphasizing science and rational thought. Modernism followed in the 19th century with ideas of universal narratives and objective truth. Postmodernism philosophy challenged such ideas in the 20th century questioning truth itself leading to relativism.
I always liked the postmodern declaration, “There’s no such thing as absolute truth.” Is that true?!
Today it seems many define truth as whatever I feel, which is more than a little disturbing. People talk about “my truth” and “your truth,” but is everything truly subjective? What if I feel differently tomorrow? Is it any wonder our society is so broken and confused? We can’t seem to agree on anything because we’re drowning in lies, opinions, and emotions.
Before we look at today’s letter, I want to share with you my favorite definition of truth from the lips of Jesus.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)
Truth is not a bunch of propositional statements but ultimately it’s a person, Jesus! He’s the one we worship. He’s our authority. He’s the reason we’re here, not me, not College First, not the Churches of God, General Conference. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
The little letter of second John begins…
The elder,
To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: (2 John 1-2)
The elder is likely John the Apostle. The “lady” is likely a house church or the female leader of a house church, with “her children” being its members or a daughter church. Notice the three mentions of the truth in these two verses.
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love. (2 John 3)
The original Greek word for truth, aletheia, appears yet again, this time alongside his favorite theme of love. John is obviously offering words of introduction and blessing.
It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. (2 John 4)
There it is again…truth. John says only “some” of the church members are walking in the truth. Are you? The question is not do you know truthful things. It’s not can you win a Bible trivia contest. We’re not speaking of even intellectual assurance of the reality of Jesus. Even demons believe in Jesus. They used to work for him!
The question is are you walking in the truth? Are you following Jesus? Does your lifestyle resemble his?
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. (2 John 5)
Love one another (Mark 12:28-31; John 15:17; Romans 13:10; 1 John 2:7-11). This is so simple yet challenging, at times. It’s easy to love the loveable. It’s not hard to love someone who agrees with you. Jesus said plainly,
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
It’s no secret that Christians in our nation have not done this well, especially in the midst of cancel culture. For some, this political season is a real test. Democrats, can you love Republicans? They’re in the room! Republicans, can you love Democrats? They’re in the room, too. Let me declare emphatically both parties are deeply flawed, as are their representatives. I have preferences and opinions like everyone else, but contrary to what some have said, there is no perfect, godly party. We need to worship the Lion and the Lamb, Jesus Christ, not an elephant or donkey.
I encourage you to take advantage of the privilege of voting, not only for president but also other candidates and issues. Study carefully, which is challenging given the lack of truth in our media and candidates. It’s important to vote, but far more important to love, especially within the Church. This includes social media!!!
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. (2 John 6)
I believe obedience is Jesus’ love language, and that obedience is first and foremost to love. In one conversation,
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. (John 14:23-24)
How did we get so distracted, so easily offended, so divisive and judgmental?
Now after talking about truth and walking in love, the purpose of the letter is announced.
I say this because 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. (2 John 7)
Jesus is fully God and fully human, something of a mystery, but clear from scripture. Throughout history some have said Jesus is God but not human, while others believed Jesus was human but not God. He is both!
Wake up, Church! There were deceivers then. Many! There are deceivers now. This is why we need to study the scriptures. We need to know what it says…and what it doesn’t say. I want to establish trust with you, but always fact check my words with scripture. The Bible is our final authority, not me. I’m human, sinful, and capable of error, though I have committed to preaching the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God!
Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. (2 John 8)
Watch out! I must confess throughout my life I’ve been trusting…to a fault. I’ve been naïve, believing everyone has pure motives, good intentions, and speaks the truth. I have grown in this area, praise God, but I still have growing to do. I need to be vigilant, think critically, examine the fruits, and protect the flock that God has entrusted to my care and that of the Elders (that’s you!).
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. (2 John 9)
It’s sad this has to even be said, but this is how cults have been started.
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. 11 Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work. (2 John 10-11)
We want to promote hospitality (more next week!). We want to welcome anyone who is seeking after God, but deceivers who deny the scriptures are not welcome here, especially if they have an agenda to influence others. False teaching is contagious!
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. (2 John 12)
This little letter is meant to tide them over until they can be together in person.
The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings. (2 John 13)
Sister might refer to a woman or likely a sister-church.
So What?
In a world where truth is often based upon feelings, Jesus is the truth.
Know Jesus, know truth.
No Jesus, no truth.