An Article of Faith

The key to understanding 2 John is to avoid fellowship with false teachers.

“For many deceivers have gone out into the world,” warns John, “those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ [i.e., what Jesus taught and what the Bible teaches about Him], does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds” (2 John 1:7-11).

How do you avoid fellowship with false teachers? You avoid fellowship with false teachers by practicing the truth. Notice John’s emphasis on the truth in opening of his letter, “The elder to the chosen lady and her children [more than likely a reference to a local congregation of believers], 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 1:1-3).

Four times in three verses John mentions the truth. “The truth” here signifies that which is summed up, embodied and revealed in Christ, who is Himself “the truth.” Thus, we practice the truth by knowing Him Who is the truth. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).

Notice John’s emphasis on the personal relationship with Him Who is the Truth: “for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever” (2 John 1:2). Again, the “truth” refers to the divine reality and signifies the ultimate reality, namely, God Himself. God is the God of truth and He has chosen to reveal Himself ultimately in the Person of His Son – the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s impossible to have a personal relationship with the one true God apart from His one and only Son. They stand together as one: “I and the Father are one,” declares Jesus (John 10:30). That is, one in unity and one in essence.

“Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ [i.e., what He taught and what the Bible teaches about Him], does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 1:9).

“This is eternal life,” prays Jesus, “that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3).

(Jessie J. Charpentier Sr. is pastor of Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church in St. Martinville.)