The Big Little Books of Truth and Love - Part1
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, for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 2 John 1-3 (NASB95)
Intro: One of the things we learned when we did the 40 Days of purpose campaign was that God formed us to be a part of His family. We were made to fellowship with Him and others. In other words, one big purpose of our lives is to have relationships, a relationship with Him and relationship with our brothers and sisters in the kingdom.
You can write this down in the margin of your Bibles next to this text: All relationships must be based upon truth and love. If they are not, they fail. Earthly relationships break down if one of these two is out of kilter. Take the man I read about some time ago who had two wives and two lives. He loved them both and treated them well. They both thought he was a wonderful husband. When they discovered each other it was over. Love was not enough. Or consider a relationship where there is truth but no love. They don’t last either.
Our relationship with God and each other works the same: they must be founded upon truth (the gospel, the teachings of Scripture, and the person of Jesus Christ) and love (self-sacrificing, actively demonstrating agape love of God). John begins his letter with an acknowledgement of relationship, relationship between himself as the Elder and a fellowship of Christians dear to his heart, but more than that, a relationship with God and each other founded on truth and love.
In the first three verses John teaches us that truth and love in relationship with God and other Christians is…
I. Portrayed in the image of children
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… 2 John 1 (NASB95)
We have already learned that the “elder” here is John. It refers both to his age and his role as overseer of the churches in Asia Minor. The “lady and her children” are the church and its members, the recipients of this letter. John loves to call Christians “children.” Sometimes that has a negative connotation (Grow up!) but not here. I think John liked to call believers children because of what Jesus taught him…
and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 (NASB95)
Children completely depend upon their parents for everything. They put their trust in them. They have a faith that is concrete and free from the baggage we pick up along the way to adulthood. They know what wonder and awe is. They thrive in an environment of truth and love.
When we see a patch of dandelions, we see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over our yard. Kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.
When we feel the wind on our faces, we brace ourselves against it. We don’t want it mess up our hair. Kids close their eyes, spread their arms, and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.
When we see the rain we see an excuse to sit in our chairs and do nothing. Getting wet is not for us. Kids see an opportunity to run in the rain and get soaked just for fun.
When we pray, we say "thee" and "thou" and "grant me this" and "give me that." Kids say "Hi, God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight. Sorry, I don't want to go to heaven yet. I would miss Mommy and Daddy."
When we see a mud puddle, we step around it. We see muddy shoes and clothes and dirty carpets. Kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross, and worms to play with. [1]
Now which do you think gives God joy? We must put aside our pride and grown-upness and come to God like little children, humble and trusting and dependent upon Him for our all. This something John learned from Jesus and he never forgot it…
There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. John 13:23 (NASB95)
Until you can imagine yourself doing that you can never know what it’s like to be loved by God.
Truth and love in relationship with God and others is portrayed in the image of children and it is…
II. Experienced as an abiding
for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: 2 John 2 (NASB95)
The truth abides in us as the third person of the trinity…
“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17 (NASB95)
The Holy Spirit of truth abides in us, has fellowship with us, and He pours out God love to us…
and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5 (NASB95)
This abiding of truth in the Spirit and the love He puts within us is with us forever. It’s how we are able to love others.
This is…
III. Accompanied by
Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 2 John 3 (NASB95)
The three things we need most…[2]
A. Grace - Grace is undeserved favor to those who deserve the opposite.
This grace finds its source in the infinite agape love of God, and it is the opposite of favor given according to deeds done.
Let me explain: I might not particularly like you, but you could probably win me over by showing interests in the things I like, by working hard to make me like you. You could win my favor by your works. Though many try to please God that way, that’s not grace.
Paul explained it this way:
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB95)
Listen to this same verse from another translation:
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)
Because God has shown us grace He can show us…
B. Mercy - Mercy is pity shown to those who are guilty and wretched.
We are guilty and wretched and in need of mercy because of sin. This has never been a truth well received, but these days it’s even more of an offense. It reminds me of Paul’s difficulty explaining the resurrection to the Greek-thinking people of his day. In this age folks have been taught the doctrine of self-esteem. Folks, there is nothing in self to esteem!
The Bible reveals our true condition…
“The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9 (NASB95)
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man...” Matthew 15:19-20 (NASB95)
As we are we can never be right with God. The Bible says that because of our sin we are at enmity with Him. That means we are at war with Him, enemies. But because of grace and mercy there is…
C. Peace - Peace is the harmonious relationship that results from God’s grace and mercy.
For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. Colossians 1:19-20 (NASB95)
We have relationship with God and each other in truth and love, and truth and love bring grace, mercy, and peace. “All three of these blessings are from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. The Father is the Source and the Son is the Channel.”[3]
Conclusion : Our relationship with God and with others is founded upon truth and love. It is portrayed in the image of children, experienced as an abiding of the Spirit, and is accompanied by grace, mercy, and peace.
And all of this comes through and by and in Jesus Christ and His work on the cross. If John were here today he’d ask…
Do you have a relationship with God?
----
[1] Adapted from From the Internet; submitted by Debi Zahn, Sandwich, Illinois
[2] MacDonald, William and Arthur Farstad. Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments, 2 Jn 3. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1995.
[3] Ibid.