Walking in the Truth

A Life Lived in the Truth

Book of 2 John

We already know that "truth" is things that are facts! Things that have been and things that will be and only Jehovah can teach us about those things because He is the truth!

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

We also know that the entire Bible is written to the believer and the New Testament teaches us of the early church and the commandments of our Savior.

I say these things so we can move on and not worry if there is some special lady that John was writing to, because in every case we know that John wrote to the Church.

So let’s just get our subjects listed and we can move on.

By the time the Apostle John wrote this epistle, all the other Apostles had been murdered and he was the only remaining Apostle.

All the Apostles but John were murdered because they would not reject our Savior, the true Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is the Apostle John who is the "Elder" in this passage.

The "Elect Lady" would then be the "Bride of Christ".

"Her Children" would be the individual Churches all around the world.

Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

These are of the true Church, because they only abide in the complete truth of the Scriptures.

Those who deviate from the truth or use some twisted, perverted version of the truth, cannot be part of the "Bride of Christ"!

It is only the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ that can make us free from the bondage of sin of this world!

Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

As we go through this passage let's keep in mind the subject matter and the persons John is speaking to.

*****2Jn 1:1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

2Jn 1:2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

We already know that this "Elder" is the Apostle John who may have been nearing the age of 100 years old by this time. We already know that Jesus had given us an indication that John would outlive all the Apostles.

Joh 21:19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

Joh 21:20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?

Joh 21:21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

Joh 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

The Lord has not yet returned, but John did out live all the original Apostles and He was the last Apostle as there can be no more.

We know that to be a true Apostle one had to see Jesus after His resurrection!

That word "elect" means to be chosen!

Not just any chosen, but those chosen by God Himself and those who have elected to serve with the Lord Jesus Christ.

2Th 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

2Th 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2Th 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

1Pe 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1Pe 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

We can see the Apostle Paul and the Apostle Peter both used some of the same language, when referring to the Church of the Living God.

We also know that no one can come to the Lord unless, they are called by the Holy Spirit.

It is those who are called that have chosen to believe the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ, that then become the elect of God!

Mat_22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

1Th 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

1Th 1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

You see, as the "elect of God". we have chosen to accept all the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ without wavering.

We live by the truth of Christ Jesus.

We are saved by the truth of Christ Jesus.

We will walk by the truth of Christ Jesus.

We will die by the truth of Christ Jesus because it takes all these things to "live eternal" with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Only the truth of God can survive throughout eternity!

Psa 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

It is by the truth of God that comes the "Grace of God"!

*****2Jn 1:3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

What does the "Body of Christ" do? We are to live in truth and love, with all other believers!

Jesus Christ died and rose again for "One Church"!

It is different men of the Church who divided the Church that Christ died for, into all these denominations because so many reject the complete truth of God.

There is only one God, His name is Jehovah!

There is only one "Word of God" given to us by only One Holy Spirit!

God has said Himself that His will not ever change!

God's Word is settled in Heaved and it needs to be settled on earth, and all the Church need to stand on the truth of God and stop some of the wickedness that is going on in our world today!

Grace means the undeserved favor of God, but so many in the Church have placed themselves above the "Grace" of God, and think that they are already worthy to be called of God, when none of us are.

Mercy means feelings of pity, compassion, affection and kindness.

Many of these things in the modern church are now used as an excuse to allow the world inside the Church.

We truly are to meet the needs of those we see who have a need, but we are never to forget that salvation must come first, and the commandments of God are not suggestions but true commandments. Commandments that will never change!

God provides the means of our salvation because of His mercy!

That "mercy" comes in the form of God's "Grace"!

Jesus took upon Himself all the sin of the world!

God will pour out His "Mercy" and His "Grace" only upon those who accept the truth of His Son.

You cannot be a part of God's "Mercy" by changing the Words that God has said!

You cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit, if you reject any part of the Word of God that was given to us by the Holy Spirit!

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Peace means we all, the children of God, are securely bound together by assurance, confidence, and in the love and care of God.

God has shared His knowledge with us, and it is not for us to change!

Why would we want to do something so foolish as the change God's Word that is true and believe men who are full of lies?

The truth cannot be changed!

Our peace comes in knowing that our God will never change, and He will certainly keep every promise to us He has made!

Jesus is the Son of the Father so therefore He is God! Why do so many question this truth?

Jesus Christ possesses all the character of God because He is God!

Grace is all the richness of the heart and mind of God!

God's "Grace" is the reason behind our life!

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

No one can "earn" the favor of God as so many try to do!

We will never "be worthy" enough to receive the gifts of God!

"Grace" brings to us all the good and perfect gifts of God!

There is no evil in God's Grace, because there is no wickedness in God at all!

There is only one way to walk and be a part of God's Church!

*****2Jn 1:4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

You see, it is a commandment to walk in the truth of God, which will never change.

You cannot see the roots of plants, but you know they are doing their job by looking at that plant.

It is the same with the Christian. We can see the true Christian by seeing how they are obedient to the Word of God!

Remember to be more like Jesus, is our goal and Jesus kept all the Word of God.

God said His commandments are not grievous, so He gives us the ten commandments to start with, and then we are to grow in all the Word of God.

We are commanded to walk as Jesus walked and this is to be our daily walk!

If the church has the truth and teaches the truth, then her children will know the truth and walk in the truth!

Luk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Luk 9:24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Luk 9:25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

The very first commandment of the Church is to walk in love!

*****2Jn 1:5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

2Jn 1:6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

That word "beseech" means, "it is urgent", "it is necessary" that we all of the Church "love one another".

There are no rewards for this love because it is a commandment!

How does this love come about? We walk after commandments!

To love is not a new commandment! It goes all the way back to the laws of Moses and the very first one is to love our Heavenly Father and the next one is to love each other with that same love of God.

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.

Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

We cannot walk with God, unless we walk first in these two commandments!

We are not walking with God, unless we walk in these two commandments!

Where is the proof that the Church follows all the Word of God?

It is by the way each child of God walks outside the Church in the commandments of God!

It is by the way the children of God walk when no one is watching them!

You see, our love for the Lord is seen in our obedience to His commandments.

Our love for each other is seen, in our actions toward all the Church.

Our love for our enemies is also seen in our walk with the Lord!

*****2Jn 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

A deceiver is anyone who would lead you away from the truth of God!

This includes any portion of the Word of God.

Mat_5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Luk_16:17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

They will make wander away from your walk with God.

They lead you astray from the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

They are charlatans!

They are imposters!

Some have always been near the Church, but there are far more today than there have been in the past. At least here in America, which was at one time the key to foreign missions, but now as many missionaries come to America as there are that leave America to go to foreign nations.

In fact America has fallen so far into sin, that there is a great need for missionaries to stay home rather than go to foreign lands.

Deceivers are everywhere!

They have found a home in our politicians.

They have found a home in our colleges and universities.

They have found a home in our schools.

They are doing their very best to get inside our homes!

The fact is, any of us can be a deceiver if we do not take the time to study the Scriptures ourselves.

There are more deceivers inside the church than there are outside the church!

They reject the "Gospel".

They reject the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

They reject that Jesus is the Messiah (the Christ).

They reject major portions of the Scriptures, and choose only certain ones they will use to prove their point therefore deceiving the Church.

We cannot reject any part of the "Gospel" and still be saved!

We cannot reject that Jesus is the Messiah, come down from Heaven and be saved!

We cannot reject that the Lord Jesus followed all the Word of God and was never disobedient, He is a sinless Savior!

We cannot reject that the Lord Jesus Christ went to the cross to die for all our sins!

If we deny any part of the truth of Jesus, then we have denied that there is a God.

We absolutely cannot allow any deceiver to poison the truth of Heaven!

We must be on guard for deceivers who are waiting on the opportunity to be alone with a group of babes in Christ and to get an opportunity to get behind some pulpit, to slander the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ, and our Holy God!

Eze 33:4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.

Eze 33:5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.

Eze 33:6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.

We have been warned!

*****2Jn 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

We must be prepared to warn the church if we see any deceiver, but we must also prepare ourselves so we will know a deceiver when we see them or better, hear them.

When we meet Jesus in the air at the "Judgment Seat of Christ" we will not have to worry about our salvation because we have been "Justified" and "Pardoned" and neither of these two things will ever change!

Another truth is, that this is the time when we will receive or not receive rewards we have earned.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, "and that he is a rewarder" of them that diligently seek him.

I use this Scripture a lot about "faith", but another truth is that God is a Rewarder!

God does not give rewards and then take them away! This is not the purpose of the "Judgment Seat of Christ"!

This is when the Lord will let us know the rewards we could have had, had we not done things against His Word!

God has all these rewards that He wants to give to us, and it is really in our own hands as to how many rewards we can receive!

*****2Jn 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

What is this "Doctrine of Christ"?

There are the teachings about Christ that we are to believe!

There are the teachings of Christ that we are to follow!

Our standard in life must be the Lord Jesus Christ! We must look at our Savior and see how we measure up!

Those who go beyond the teaching of Jesus Christ, are adding to the Word of God.

Those who fall short in their teachings of Christ, are subtracting from the Word of God and both of these are false teachers!

The "Doctrine of Jesus Christ" then is all the truth revealed to us by Jesus Himself and that was passed down to those twelve Apostles when we add the Apostle Paul and that was taught to the early Church and this same Doctrine is still in full force today.

It is not to be added to and it is not to be subtracted from!

Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Rev 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

The basis of the Church is now, has always been, and will remain, until His return, the "Doctrine of Jesus Christ"!

It is by Jesus Christ that is the foundation of the Church!

1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

It is by Jesus Christ that gives the Church direction as He is the Head of the Church.

Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Col 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

Col 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

It is by Jesus Christ that nourishment is given to the Church.

Eph 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

It is by Jesus Christ who cleanses the Church.

Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

It is by Jesus Christ that physical and spiritual gifts come into the believers of the Church.

Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

When you kick Jesus out of the Church, then you have no Church!

Because it is Jesus who intercedes for the Church!

Jesus will never intercede for a deceiver!

Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Jesus is the Advocate for each believer.

Jesus is preparing a home for each believer.

Jesus is producing fruit in the life of each believer.

The Church cannot operate without the Church teaching all the "Doctrine of Jesus Christ"!

*****2Jn 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

2Jn 1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Again we see that the Apostle John does not beat around the bush, but comes straight to the point. Anyone who does not teach the full "Doctrine of Christ" then they should be sent out the doors of the Church, because they do not belong in the Church.

Of course they should be offered a chance to repent after someone points out the truth to them!

Anyone who comes into the Church that preaches some other doctrine than the "Doctrine of Jesus Christ", then they to need to be shown the door and once again offering to them the truth and a chance to repent, but not many will because they came in with Satan's purpose.

If we cannot remain loyal to Christ, how can we say we are Christian!

We must not receive a false teacher!

How many of us have hade that visit from a Jehovah Witness and after we have been nice and rejected their teaching, wish them a good day.

We are wrong for this, we need only send them on their way, wishing them a bad day!

False teachers are not to be allowed in our Church!

False teachers are not to be allowed in our homes!

We are never to listen what false teachers are teaching, because in the end their intention is to cause confusion!

We must disciple our own babes in Christ so they to, will follow the "Doctrine of Jesus Christ", the truth of the Church!

2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

If we have come out from them, why would we ever want to hear what they have to say?

Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

There is no other "Doctrine" for the Church that the "Doctrine of Jesus Christ"!

Then John closes out this small book of the Bible.

*****2Jn 1:12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

2Jn 1:13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

This is a very short letter written to the early Church. We know that each letter was passed to every Church until they all had read what John had to say and remember the Holy Spirit inspired all the Word of God.

All who want to know the truth today, can now have a copy of the completed Word of God.

John had made the point that it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that is the truth of the Church and therefore a body of people where the Gospel is not preached are not part of the true Church, no matter what they call themselves.

Any preacher who will not take a stand on the truth of God, is not then a man of God!

2Co 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

2Co 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

1Pe 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

I can say I am Christian and if I do then I'm saying I have given my heart to the Lord Jesus Christ because I know the truth!

I can truly say lead me Lord and I will follow!

Php 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

There is no other path for these things to remain true!

Amen

Let's Pray!