2 John

Don't be deceived

Although the address "to the lady chosen by God" presents as though to an individual, it is more than likely that this is the Elder's way of addressing a particular church under his care, The Elect Lady Church. As a pastoral letter, it contains words of commendation and exhortation, but its prime purpose is to warn the congregation of a heretical movement presently disrupting and dividing the Christian church. These heretics, "deceivers", do not "abide in the teachings of Christ", v9, and so if they visit the church in order to promote their teachings, the church should not "receive" them, v10.

v1-2. In much the say way as we write a letter, our author states who it is from and to whom it is addressed. It is from "the Elder." There is much debate on the subject of authorship, but the Elder is probably John, the author of the gospel and epistles in his name. Debate rages as to whether he is John the apostle, but if he is not the apostle himself, he was certainly someone very close to him, possibly the editor of the apostle's teachings. As noted above, the to whom is most likely a church within the Elder's care. It is a church he loves "in truth", a church he truly loves, and this because, like the Elder, the members of this Christian fellowship have heard and responded to the truth of the gospel, a truth which realizes the divine presence in a person's life, and this for eternity.

v3. The Elder now offers a wish-prayer; he desires that his readers may experience in their lives God's grace, mercy and love. With these divine blessings a believer is lead into the sphere of truth and love, of knowledge expressed in compassion.

v4-6. It is a great joy to our author that many in the congregation of The Elect Lady Church are living out the gospel in their day-to-day life, living the truth in accord with God's command. The truth of the gospel, when approached in faith, brings with it the fruit of love. A person who loves God will obey his commands. To this end the Elder entreats his readers to live out the divine command to walk in truth and love; let truth and love be the rule of your life. "This is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another", 1Jn.3:23.

v7. The Elder has encouraged his readers to walk in truth and love because there are may deceivers, enemies of Christ who limit Jesus' earthly ministry on our behalf. The deceivers seem to think that Jesus' faithfulness is not enough, in itself, to fully acquire God's promised blessings. We must never forget that in the righteousness of Christ alone we stand righteous before God, fully gifted with his promised blessings, and this for eternity.

v8-9. Given the presence of deceivers in this world, believers need to be on their guard lest the very ground of their salvation be undermined. The Christian life is founded on a personal faith in Jesus Christ lived out in love. A believer who moves from this truth is lost ("does not have God"), but whoever abides in it is saved ("has both the Father and the Son").

v10-11. As a rule-of-thumb, it is best not to engage with those who peddle the faith plus model of Christianity, whatever the plus might be.

v12-13. The Elder concludes his letter by indicating that he intends to visit the church soon, and for this reason his letter is short and to the point. In a final flourish he sends greetings from the members of the main church where he ministers.

In 2017, when Donald Trump was the president of the United States, he stirred up the fourth estate by suggesting that much of their reporting was "fake news", creative.

Trump's opinion on "fake news" was roundly condemned, although given that the public view of reporters is on a par with realestate agents, he may have had a point. On the few occasions when we can verify the facts of a report, it is interesting how creativity gets in the way of those facts. It is for this reason that we are suspicious of the 99% of reports we are unable to verify.

When John the Elder wrote to the members of one of his branch churches, the letter we know as the second letter of John, he warns them about fake news, not secular news, but a false theology doing the rounds at that time. John doesn't tell us much about this fake doctrine, but it was probably like most heresies, an extra special add-on to the cross for blessings and power untold. For John, you can't go past the basics, as he put it in his first letter, 3:23, believe in Jesus Christ, and love one another. Faith and its fruit love, that's the package.

When it comes to fake doctrine, John has an interesting piece of advice. His rule of thumb is don't engage with it. Of course, anyone with a reasonable understanding of theology and who loves a good debate, isn't going to miss the opportunity to engage with someone peddling the little extra. But John is not writing to theologians, he is writing to normal believers with a limited theological background. So, for the average believers, it's best not to engage.

A pastor friend of mine told me the story of an elderly believer who would always welcome the local Jehovah's Witness into her home when he visited. She didn't engage, but was just kindly, loving - a biscuit and a cup of tea to a weary traveler. When he got into an argument at his Kingdom Hall over her status as a believer he ended up being shunned. That elderly lady was later able to lead him to the Lord.

Love the lost, but don't engage with fake doctrine.

1. What is the one clue to the fake doctrine facing the church that John is writing to? Comment on what it might mean.

2. John gives us a summary of the true doctrine, what we call orthodoxy. It consists of two points; what are they? Discuss John's summary of this orthodoxy in 1Jn.3:23.

3. Discuss how you would handle someone peddling fake doctrine in light of John's advice.