Living in the Truth 2 John 1-13

300 Illustrations for Preachers Buying a Fake TV for $250

Would you buy a flat-screen TV for $250? Would you buy an oven door with a cord and a remote control for the same amount? Several people in South Bend, Indiana, thought they were doing the former, but they actually did the latter. They thought they were getting a good deal on a flat-screen TV but instead learned a hard lesson about “getting what you pay for.” The girlfriend of one of the unsuspecting buyers told reporters later, “If you’re going to buy something from someone, make sure you open it up first. Especially if you’re not buying it from the store.”

Authorities say the fake TVs were packaged so professionally, victims had no idea they made a bad purchase until they got home and opened the merchandise.

-We must live according to the truth of the Gospel

I. Walk in the Truth vv. 1-4

In our passage, John the Apostle writes a letter to a sister church

He writes to them as an Elder, a person of authority within the church; His words must carry weight

He writes to a sister church

He calls them an “elect lady and her children”

This is a term of deep endearment; he loves them in truth

This is true of all who know the truth: their lives are marked by love!

He invokes the blessings of grace, mercy, and peace upon them

This comes from God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son

It comes in truth and love

We must be certain: where truth and love abound, there will be grace, mercy, and peace

Truth is both what we believe and how we live

This is not just an academic exercise

John does not rejoice because the people believe true things, but that they walk in the truth

James 2:18–19

[18] But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. [19] You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! (ESV)

II. Love in the Truth vv. 5-6

Next, John instructs us to love in truth

This may strike us as odd, but the two concepts are not mutually exclusive; in fact one cannot exist apart from the other

If I say that I walk in the truth, but I do not love, I am in error.

This is because love is commanded and it is commanded by God from the beginning

Nothing is more fundamental to our faith than the commands to love God and to love people

If I say that I love without walking in the truth, I am also in error

I cannot love others rightly if my love is not informed by truth

If I do not live according to God’s righteous commandments, my actions can never be right, even if their motivations are gracious

These two principles are married together in the life of a follower of Jesus: Love and truth

Imagine picking your car up from the shop after a routine tune-up and the technician says, "This car is in great shape. Clearly you have an automotive genius to take great care of your car." Later that day, your brakes don't work. You find out you were out of brake fluid. You could have died.

You go back to the shop, and you say, "Why didn't you tell me?" The technician replies, "Well, I didn't want you to feel bad. Plus, to be honest, I was afraid you might get upset with me. I want this to be a safe place where you feel loved and accepted." You'd be furious! You'd say, "I didn't come here for a little fantasy-based ego boost! When it comes to my car, I want the truth."

Ephesians 4:15–16

[15] Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, [16] from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (ESV)

III. Guard the Truth vv. 7-11

Then, things shift and John gives us a warning: we must guard the truth.

How do we guard the truth?

First, we identify deceivers

We see the reality of deceivers; there are false teachers out there who have a desire to lead others astray

They are marked by a particular deception: they deny the coming of Christ in the flesh. This is not the only deception, but it is a big one

They are in the spirit of antichrist

Watch yourself

It is possible to be led astray; even people who know the truth can be deceived

When this happens, we do not lose salvation, but we do lose the fullness of our reward

Remain in the teaching of Christ

There is a danger of “transgression” that is moving beyond the teaching of Jesus

When we do this, we disconnect from the Father and Son, we are out of step with them

Do not abide false teaching

When we encounter this kind of false teaching, we cannot give it room in our homes or lives, nor give it any kind of greeting

There is some theological triage that must take place; not every issue is a dividing issue

However, when we identify a dividing issue we must address is it, to not do so would be to participate in that teaching

2 Peter 2:1–3

[1] But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. [2] And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. [3] And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. (ESV)

IV. Rejoice in Truth vv.12-13

Finally, we see John offer a final commendation:

He wants to say more to them, in fact, he has much to say

However, he does not want to do it on paper and ink, but face to face

John has a sincere desire to fulfill his fellowship with the people that he loves dearly

When we are able to walk together with God’s people in truth and love, our joy is completed

The neighborhood bar is possible the best counterfeit there is to the fellowship Christ wants to give his church. It’s an imitation, dispensing liquor instead of grace, escape rather than reality, but it is a permissive, accepting, and inclusive fellowship. It is unshockable. It is democratic. You can tell people secrets and they don’t usually tell others or even want to.

The bar flourishes not because most people are alcoholics, but because God has put into the human heart the desire to know and be known, to love and be loved, and so many seek a counterfeit at the price of a few beers.

With all my heart I believe that Christ wants his church to be unshockable, democratic, permissive- a fellowship where people can come in and say, “I’m sunk!” “I’m beat!” “I’ve had it!” Alcoholics Anonymous has this quality. Our churches often miss it.

– Keith Miller and Bruce Larson