Love should be the atmosphere of the whole world since heaven and earth was created by God who is perfect Love. Yet, love without boundaries and obedience is not based on the Truth [Jesus]. Believers cannot proclaim and teach about genuine love without staying within the boundaries of God’s authority. Otherwise, it is neither genuine love or truth—it is a false gospel.
The gospel of Christ is both Truth and Love (John 14:6). Therefore, love without the boundary of Truth is not the salvation Jesus came to offer humanity. Jesus clearly stated, “If you love me, obey my commandments [divine instructions]” (John 14:15). God’s commandments [boundaries for love] have been given so we have guiding principles for how God created us to live and worship; a way that pleases God.
In our passage today from the elder John, the apostle writes to “the chosen lady and to her children” (2 John 2). Now, there have been obvious debates throughout the centuries as to whether this is a lady leading a church or simply a way to refer to a church itself. Personally, this whole debate that has been a focus for theologians reminds me of straining at gnats and swallowing camels. So, I’ll not enter into it.
The point of this passage from John is clear—there is an enemy of the Truth and we must be careful not to allow any falsehood into our spiritual family, because it would encourage an alignment with evil and heresy no matter how much love and acceptance we demonstrate. It opens a very wrong door instead of entering into a relationship with God through “The Door” of obedience (John 10:9a).
Today, we celebrate our veterans. Our freedom, in America, is so precious and our military heroes continue to protect every person’s liberty to speak the Truth in Love. Our veterans, as well as our present military servants are indispensable for us to live with liberty [ability to love] and justice [speak truth] under God’s authority. “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Even though this is the gospel, not everyone will speak Truth and not everyone will love. But, God’s children—the heirs of Christ—know the blessing of the gospel and seek to stay in the boundaries given for Truth AND Love.
2 John NLT Greetings
1 This letter is from John, the elder.
I am writing to the chosen lady and to her children, whom I love in the truth—as does everyone else who knows the truth— 2 because the truth lives in us and will be with us forever.
3 Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love.
Live in the Truth
4 How happy I was to meet some of your children and find them living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded.
5 I am writing to remind you, dear friends[lady], that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning. 6 Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.
7 I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what we [you] have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward. 9 Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. 11 Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work.
Conclusion
12 I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to do it with paper and ink. For I hope to visit you soon and talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete.
13 Greetings from the children of your sister, chosen by God.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for placing in your Word the boundaries of life in your Love. Help us to remember that love without truth does not lead one toward eternal life and salvation. We long to live in the genuine gospel of peace and blessing. In Jesus’ name. Amen.