2 John - Who Do We Say Jesus Is?
John warns us that the Church must not confuse love with celebrating or encouraging evil work. John says the consequences are dire. In Matthew 16, Jesus calls out the wicked and adulterous Pharisees and Sadducees. He warns his disciples to not mix with the evil people who do not recognize the Messiah. Jesus calls them hypocrites.
I know, tough stuff. But we need to wrestle with John's message. Men and women of God can handle straight talk. We need it. In Matthew 16 Jesus also asks His disciples the critical question, “But who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). That is what John is getting at here I believe. And, just as Jesus did with the disciples, John is warning us to not partner or encourage anyone who denies the Son of God. Our object is not to please the devil or any of his followers. Our objective is to obey our King and be diligent to receive our full reward from Jesus (2 John 1:8). It is one thing to love all people, and truly love them with the love of Christ. It is quite another to embrace sin and to encourage those that deny Jesus Christ.
We pray to God for grace, mercy, and peace in all spheres of our lives. Every person’s heart yearns for deep meaning. We want the best for our lives and our children's lives. We want to do something good and to live a life that makes a positive difference. But what does that mean? In this passage, we hear of the rich blessing of having children who are living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded (verse 4). Many times in Scripture we hear of telling a tree by its fruit. There is a lot we could say about that.
A meaningful life is much more than satisfaction. We all know how hard it is to be satisfied. It is being right with God. Joy, peace, and the ability to selflessly love are from God. This stern letter from John, as short as it is, packs a punch of truth that will transform our lives, nay, transform our families, communities, and our nation. It goes to our relationship with God and the health of the church. To flourish as the Bride of Christ we must accept the truth of who God is and what He's done for us.
All Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16). Scripture is God’s written word to us. And John tells us that Jesus - the Son of God the Father - is the living Word. Jesus existed as God from before time. He is God. God created everything through the Son. Jesus came into the very world that He created (John 1:1-13). But John reminds those who believe in Jesus and who have accepted Him as Savior that they must live in truth and love.
We often hear about being good stewards of our time, talent, and treasure. But John tells us to be sober stewards of the truth. And the truth is that Jesus Christ came in a real body. There is no relationship with God without a relationship with the Son (verses 3 and 9). Loving one another means doing what God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) commands us to do. There are not two faiths or twenty faiths. There is only one way to have a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ the Son (John 14:6). From the beginning there has only been one true people of God, one faith, and one baptism. That is faith in the Most High. You cannot have the Father if you do not have the Son.
John, like all of the apostles, warns us here - do not lose what God has given you. We know that God will never forsake us. God will never fail us. But John says that anyone who wanders away from the truth that Jesus is God and came into the world to save sinners has no relationship with God. If we believe that then we make every effort to tell others the truth, in love. Love people so much that you are willing to share with them the eternal life that God offers to all people.
John does not mince words. He is gentle and respectful, but like Jesus, he calls out hypocrisy and evil where he sees it. We play all sorts of games with acceptance and interfaith initiatives. But John rightly warns the church that anyone - yes anyone - who encourages people who deny Jesus becomes a partner in their evil work.
Like John and Peter, we too have to answer Jesus’ critical question. Jesus is indeed the Christ, the Son of the living God. Let us honor Him today by obedience to God’s command and by loving well. Amen.
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