When hard truth and gentle love come together, there are times when love has to be hard and truth becomes gentle.
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Key Verse
2 John 1:1 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
Snapshot
- Theme Verses
- Objectives
- Introduction
- Know the truth
- Bond of truth
- Abide in truth
- Recap
- Discussion
In his first letter John writes “Let us love not in word or speech but in truth and action” 1 John 3:18
In this journey
We:
- Understand the dynamics between love and truth
- Discern those with whom we hold the bond of truths
- Handle the false fraternity
- Understand conditions for assurance of permanent residence of truth in us
Introduction
From the Elder To the Chosen Lady – From John, to the Bride of Christ,
- Believers across the world
- United by Love
- In the Common Truth
- Which never leaves us
Know the Truth
2 John 1:1 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
Know the Truth
True knowledge is knowledge that acts, that obeys, that loves
Know the Truth
2 John 1:6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
Bond of Truth
The bond of truth:
- Exists among some
- Exceeds Boundaries
- Excludes false teachers and false followers
2 John 1:1 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,
Bond of Truth - Exists among some – Faithful Few
2 John 1:4 I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father.
Bond of Truth - Excludes False teachers
2 John 1:10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.
- This is where Love has to be hard at times.
- Love is not tolerating everyone (world view)
- It is protecting the absolute Truth
Bond of Truth - Exceeds Boundaries
- Today, in all church denominations there are “some” people walking in the truth.
- There are the “faithful few” and the “false fraternity” everywhere
The bond of truth unites all genuine followers of the truth everywhere irrespective of church or denomination…the true “bride of Christ”
Bond of Truth - Exclusive?
- Does it mean we don’t love others?
- Certainly not!! We love them but don’t rationalize their ways as acceptable.
- This passage and book refers to “Love in Truth”
Abide in the Truth
2 John 1:2 for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever
Those who abide in the truth will:
- Receive full reward
- Have Truth Forever
Receive Full Reward
2 John 1:8 Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. 9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.
There will be different levels of reward in heaven even among believers. Some other verses indicating this are:
Matt 16:27, Rom 2:5-7, Prov 24:12, Luke 19:11-27, 2 Corinthians 4:17
To get full reward we need to appropriately handle diversions
Have Truth Forever
2 John 1:2 for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever
Another verse assuring us that true followers already have the truth forever. Verse 9 indicates that those who fall back, do not really have God.
2 John 1:9 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.
Truths learnt
- When we embrace the truth it remains with us forever
- There are always the faithful few following the truth
- There are always false fraternity diverting from the truth
- Getting caught in these diversion means reducing your reward
- When we embrace the truth it remains with us forever
- There are always the faithful few following the truth
- There are always false fraternity diverting from the truth
- Getting caught in these diversion means reducing your reward
Love in Truth - Recap
- Know the truth
- Love
- Obedience
- Bond of truth
- Exists among some
- Exceeds Boundaries
- Excludes false teachers and false followers
- Abide in truth
- Full reward
- Forever
Discussion
- What is the difference between the statements “love in truth” and “love your enemies”?
- In our churches today, how do deviations to truth impact love?
- What encouragement does the “global church” give us?
- What diversions in our current context endanger our “full reward”? How do we avert them?
