The Book of Second John – Walking in Truth and Love

 “Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.” – 2 John 9

The apostle John, in his brief yet powerful letter of 2 John, emphasizes two essential themes: truth and love. He writes to encourage believers to remain faithful to the truth of Christ while living out that truth in genuine love for one another.   John is particularly concerned about false teachers at the time who were stating that Jesus did not come in the flesh.

2nd John’s insistence on truth and love provides helpful guidance for our lives of faith today.  The continual commands to love our neighbor and our enemies that are found throughout the scriptures sometimes are seen as calls to give in and permit false teachings or beliefs.  However, the book of 2nd John makes it clear that love does not mean embracing falsehood, rather true love guards against deception and upholds God’s truth.
 
The balance of truth and love in our life of faith is difficult.  It is not always easy or clear to know when our demands for truth have caused us to neglect love or vice versa.  However, here too Second John provides guidance in its insistence on abiding in the teachings of Christ and community.  Discerning the balance of truth and love is always carried out in community with other believers and grounded in the teachings of Christ.