October 3, 2014
"ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE"
2 John 1–13
Caleb Dean
Central Truth
Love that is lacking absolute truth is not love, but rather a form of hate because "truthless" love propagates deception that leads to death (2 John 1:7-11). True love is patient, kind, and unfailing (1 Corinthians 13:1-8). And that's a love that changes the world (John 15:13 & 3:16).
Key Verse | 2 John 5–6
And now I ask you, dear lady -- not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning -- that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. (2 John 1:5-6)
2 John 1–13
Greeting
1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:
3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.
Walking in Truth and Love
4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 5 And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we 1 1:8 Some manuscripts you have worked for, but may win a full reward. 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
Final Greetings
12 Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
13 The children of your elect sister greet you.
Dive Deeper | 2 John 1–13
The Beatles released the song "All You Need Is Love" back in the '60s, and it pronounced a timeless mantra that permeates our culture. But what is love?
The Bible uses a handful of words for what we translate in English as "love." The most powerful Greek word for love is agape, which is what John used in 2 John 1:5-6. Agape is truth-filled love -- it seeks the needs of others before satisfying one's self (Philippians 2:4).
Culture commands that love should unite us. However, Jesus, who is truth (John 14:6) and love (1 John 4:8), says He has come to divide (Matthew 10:34-39). According to Solomon, truth is sometimes painful and hard to swallow (Proverbs 27:6), but that's true love (Proverbs 27:5). For example, if I have cancer, an act of love would be removing the cancer, which may include painful surgeries and powerful medicine. If I don't receive proper care, I could die.
We're all plagued by a cancer called sin. The Great Physician (John 5:1-9) wants to heal our sin cancer, but this can be a painful process (Proverbs 27:17). Love tells us we're sick, but love doesn't let us remain in that state -- it pursues healing.
Without truth, our love will be imperfect. Only through Jesus are all things possible (Philippians 4:13). Once we exercise what Romans 10:9 tells us, the Holy Spirit indwells us (Acts 2:38, 1 John 2:24-25) and produces life-giving fruit, which includes agape love (Galatians 5:22-23). Apart from Jesus and the Holy Spirit (John 15:5-6), demonstrating the love described in 2 John is impossible.
John writes that we know love because Jesus laid down His life for us. Therefore, we ought to do the same for others (1 John 3:16). John continues to remind us about this love in his second letter (2 John 1:5-6), and this love is the mark of a true follower (John 13:35). "Agape" one another in truth.
It's this kind of love that changes the world. The agape found in a relationship with Jesus Christ really is all we need.
Discussion Questions
1. What do you think God is teaching you through 2 John? Share your thoughts with someone.
2. Has culture affected the way we love? Why or why not?
3. Meditate on the fact that "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son" (John 3:16) to save us. That's a sacrificial love. In Luke 14:12-14, Jesus instructs us to reach out to and love those who cannot repay us for what we've done just like we could never repay God for what He's done for us. How are you doing with living out Luke 14:13? What steps can you take to grow?