Love and truth but watch Out

Read 2 John.

In this second letter from the Apostle John, he underscores again two of his notable themes: love and truth.  Those are not choices of either/or but are both/and.  Trying to love without truth is permissiveness and will lead to the acceptance of sin.  Holding to truth without love will ruin relationships and stifle opportunities for ministry.  But, a life that practices those two things at the same time is beautiful and attractive, even to those who may disagree.

It is this mutual commitment to love and truth that draws followers of Jesus together in a local Bible believing church, as expressed in the opening two verses.  We share a common faith and a partnership in the Gospel that John refers to as fellowship.  Having established that fact, John issued two warnings for the church.

1. Watch yourselves. (vv.8-9)
We must be alert all the time that we do not make a sinful choice and lose out on all God has stored up for those who faithfully serve Him.  The evidence of a genuine faith is when a believer does sin, they quickly confess and repent (1 John 1:9).  Continuing in sin is evidence of one who does not know Jesus.

2. Watch out for deceivers. (vv.7, 10-11)
The evaluators of genuine Christianity are found in the answers to two questions:
A. What is the Bible?
B. Who is Jesus?

The correct answer to the first question is, "The Bible is the written word of God".
God's truth is written down for us.  "All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16)

The correct answer to the second question is, "Jesus is the living word of God."
God's Son was sent down for us.  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)

If there is a true commitment to those two things, we may have Biblical fellowship with anyone.  If not, we are forbidden to join in ministry partnership together with them.  To fail to be discriminating of those with whom we partner in ministry will bring the guilt of false teaching on ourselves.