“How happy I was to meet some of your children and find them living according to the truth…I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another.” 2 John v. 4,5 NLT
John’s two short letters, in comparison to his other books, are postcards or notes. They are personal and focused. When you read the first few verses from the greeting to the reason he is writing this letter, we find multiple references to the words “love” and “truth.”
The letter is pastoral and personal. It is written to “The Chosen Lady and Her Children.” Since John warns about those who would “come into her meetings,” she appears to be a leader of a house church, and “children” are members of her group.
Characteristic of John, he states the purpose of his letter, which is to remind them to love one another. We don’t know if there was contention among this group; however, it doesn’t take too many people connected in a relationship to have disagreements or tension.
There is a doctrinal issue that comes up: “deceivers who deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body.” In the first-century church, a doctrinal error had crept in. Just like today, when someone believes a doctrine, they want to prove they are right and everyone else is wrong.
John is encouraged to know that he has met some of the group who are committed to the truth and wants them to remain faithful to the truth found in Christ. For John, abiding in the truth is what distinguishes true believers from deceivers and even those who are “antichrist.” Those who abide in the truth are those who are rewarded.
Love, for John, is “doing what Christ commanded.” This is core to the truth in Christ and is based on actions. But love is not tolerating sin and those who try to deceive.
“If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work.” (v.10,11)
In a brief letter, John addresses these two fundamental parts of the Christian life, “truth” and “love.” It reminds me of John’s gospel when he states that Jesus came full of “grace and truth.” Grace, God’s unmerited favor, is an expression of His love for us. But as Paul writes in his letters, grace is not license to sin or tolerate sin and neither is love.
Truth without love makes a person proud and insensitive and can become a weapon. Yet love without truth can create vulnerability, confusion, and division. The protection I believe John is communicating is to love the truth and to love others by safeguarding the unity and faith of believers.