Upon Further Review; 2 John

Maybe reviewing 3 John before I reveiewed 2 John opened my eyes to something I missed before.  In my attempt to 'dig in' and get everything possible out of each of these letters, I think I missed the elements that tie them together.  There are two words that appear the most in each letter; and they're the same words.  In 2 John we find 'love' 4 times and 'truth' 5 times; in 3 John we find 'love/beloved' 6 times, and truth 7 times. 
These two things themes hold true even though the focus of each letter is slightly different. 
In 2 John, John urges his readers to 'walk in truth and love one another' (4-5) in the face of opposition and false teaching from the outside the fellowship.  Apparently there were some who 'went out' from the fellowship and were deceiving others with false teaching.  John implores them to 'watch themselves' (8) and 'abide in the teaching of Christ' (9).  Holding to the truth of Christ and to love for one another is a strong defense against the opposition from the outside.

In 3 John the same teaching is applied to opposition from within the fellowship.  John commends the fellowshp for 'walking in the truth ' (3-4) and in love (5-6) as expressed in their tremendous hospitality for those traveling with the Gospel.  And while there is always persecution from the world to deal with, the focus of this letter is dissention within the fellowship.  John identifies an individual, Diotrephes, who is selfish, insubordinate, deceitful, and inhospitable.  The fellowship is not to imitate this evil example, but is to imitate the good example of walking in truth and love. 

I tried really hard in the original CMS to find a distinct outline for each of these letters.  Upon further review, I think it would be most helpful to remember them as a set; Walking in Truth and Love both Outside and Inside the fellowship.  A good shepherd must always be on guard against wolves from the outside, and 'wolves in sheep's clothing' from the inside. 

Now I have to think of a clever way to outline these.....

Upon Further Review; 3 John

Personal touch.  This letter was written by a person to a person.  (I heard a unison 'duh' from all you theologian types...)  John definitely had some straightening-out to do in this letter, but it was not terse or detached.  From the greeting to the closing, this letter drips with genuine Christian brotherhood;  love in truth.

This time through 3 John, that's what stuck with me most; the underlying themes of love and truth.  Love for God, love for each other, love for God's truth, and love for God's truth in each other.  He commends them for loving other Christians according to the truth of Scripture, and condemns those among them for not 'walking in the truth' the same way. 

Diotrephes did not walk in truth and love, but rather selfishness, dissension, false teaching, in-hospitality, and control.

Demetrius, on the other hand, is affirmed in his walk of truth and love by those around him, by John's fellowship, and by truth itself.

Just today, I caught myself NOT walking in love with my family, and definitely not living out the truth of Scripture. 

"Ethan, don't forget...."

Walk in truth (3 John 3)

Walk in love  (Eph 5:2)

Walk in new life (Rom 6:4)

Walk in humility (1 Pet 5:5-6)

Walk in compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience (Col 3:12)

Walk in good works (Eph 2:10)

Walk in wisdom (Col 4:5)

Walk in light (1 John 1:7)

Walk in a manner worthy of Him (Col 1:10)

Walk in Him (Col 2:6, 1 John 2:6)

Another thing I am reminded of by this passage is that we need to keep out eyes out for wolves in the flock.  Wolves can be identified by their walk as well.  They walk in selfish ambition and a desire for power.  They walk in envy of those who have authority; often rebelling against the spiritual authorities over them.  They talk with wicked tongues; lying and slandering others in the body.  They are uber-protective of 'their turf' and their influence; not wanting outsiders to come in and mess it all up (or expose them).

Part of walking with God is loving what God loves.  Another side of it is hating what God hates.  John rejoices in the obedience and faithfulness of some of the brothers in the church.  But with righteous anger he exposes the work of the wolf, Diotrephes, and shines the light of truth on his behavior.  The truth comforts, and the truth confronts.  This takes courage.  But it must be done.


Lord, help us walk in Your love, and walk in Your truth.