2 JOHN
LOVE DISCRIMINATES BASED UPON TRUTH
“The Salutation” Verses 1 – 3
“Proper Exercise of Truth and Love” Verses 4 –11
“Final Greetings” Verses 12 – 13
The Apostle John is the author of 2 John. This book is believed to have been written around A.D. 85. 2 John appears to have been written to a special woman in a church.
John mentions her children, her sister, and her sister’s children. Verse 1 states that all who have known the truth love this woman. The main theme of 2 John is a sharp warning against error in the church. We are not to tolerate anti-Christian error. There cannot be a mixing of truth with error. There are many mentions of the words, “truth, love, Jesus, Father, deceivers, and those who do not speak the truth” within 2 John. John mentions that to tolerate error is NOT an exercise of love. He states that we should NOT even receive a deceiver into our house or even greet this person (total separation).
The proper exercise of truth and love
John commends this special woman because some of her children are walking in the truth that was commanded to us from God the Father. The walk of His commands is the proof of our love for others. Many deceivers have gone out into the world and have tried to influence the local church with wrong teaching. We are to be aware that there are deceivers within the church and watch out for them. They are not of God. We are not to allow them into our homes. If we do, we share in their wicked work.
Final greetings
John plans to visit this special woman so that he can give her much other Godly advice face-to-face. This will complete his joy.
Application
This is the second week in a row that my devotional has been centered around deceivers trying to influence the teachings of a local church and the warnings to beware of these deceivers. As we get closer to the end times, Satan and his fellow deceivers are working harder to break up the teachings and fellowship of local churches.
God’s warnings are presented by several biblical writers. LET US STAY ALERT AND STAND FIRM AGAINST THESE DECEIVERS AND THEIR PLANS TO DESTROY US.
To God be the Glory and may His will be done.
Blessings from Carlton Ringer