Although the last few articles have been from the book of 1 John, verses 4-6 of 2 John capture a point that relates to 1 John 3:10-23. This is consistent with sources (like the NIV Introduction and Womack, p.140, cited below) that describe the short book of 2 John as a second letter addressing the same issues as were found in 1 John, written to another church. Let’s take a look!
First, though, let me ask a question: Does church sometimes feel like it’s all about things that we need to do better? Depending on your upbringing, you might be used to pastors who mostly talked about how much we sin, and what awaits those who don’t repent. Even in my own teaching, it seems that I’m often talking about what followers of Jesus (including myself) need to do in order to better follow Jesus.
And, it’s true that we should want – and work – to continue improving in our Christian life. We might call this process “sanctification”, and if we have the right attitude about it, it can be healthy.
However, I’d like to call your attention to what John writes in 2 John 4. He explains to the recipients of this letter how joyful it makes him to hear about the good behavior of members of their church.
It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.
2 John 1:4 NIV
Sometimes, especially when we’ve had a bad week, and everything we do seems to be turning out wrong, we need to hear that we’re doing something right, or that something we did made a positive difference for someone else. If you haven’t heard that recently – and genuinely – from another follower of Jesus, I invite you to ask God for some insight into where you’re on the right track, and where your life’s decisions are bringing Him joy. Then, pause to listen for a little while.
And, if you know of someone else whose walk with God in truth is evident, won’t you pause and let them know how that brings you joy?
The next couple of verses sound a lot like what previous articles found elsewhere in 1 and/or 3 John.
And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
2 John 1:5-6 NIV
This is not a new command: Love other people, and love Jesus by keeping His commands. In fact, these two commands tie together:
- When we show our love to Jesus by keeping His commandments, we will show love to other people, especially those in His family.
- And, when we love other people because God commanded us to, we glorify Him.
While preparing a lesson on this passage recently, I found that I had previously underlined a sentence in a commentary on these letters of John. That underlined statement reads, “The old teaching of love was sufficient to answer the new threat to the church.” [Womack, p.144]. If you see false teaching – of any kind – in the church, go back to the basics. The plain truth of Jesus can dispel all manner of corrupted teaching: both those that try to twist the message of Jesus, and those that follow non-Christian beliefs.
Love God. Love people. Easy to say. Sometimes difficult to do. Always worth the effort.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for March 2, 2025
References:
- 1717 Bible Studies, 1, 2, and 3 John, © 2025 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – 1, 2 & 3 John, by Morris M. Womack. © 1998 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 