How Do We Know the Truth

2 John 1:1-13
 
Do not just read but obey. To walk in truth, one knows how to act, what to do, is willing to learn, and is determined to do so.
 
In verses 1-3:

• John was an elder, he loved the church, he was writing this letter to warn the church and congregation to watch out for false teachers.
• The Truth is Jesus.
  • 1 John 2:21, I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
  • John 14:6, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me.
• When we have accepted the truth, we have accepted Jesus, we know that He abides in us.
• Grace - unmerited favor of God.
• Mercy - kindness of God.
• Peace - binds together, well-being, stability.

 
In verses 4-6:

• I found of thy children walking in truth:
  • Does the church walk in truth?
  • Does the church keep God's commandments?
  • Does the church 'daily walking close to thee'?
• John saw the church in harmony, spirit, truth.
  • Do we - her hair looks different
  • He did not shave, the nerve of him
  • He is in jeans; her dress is cut too low
• Keep your eyes on Christ
• I beseech thee - pay attention, listen, and hear closely
• We had this commandment from the beginning
  • Leviticus 19:18, Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the Lord.
  • John 13:34, A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another, as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
• It is one thing to say it, but do we do it, do we show it

 
In verses 7-9:

• Since the fall of man, Satan has been set on deceiving as many people as possible
• He has led countless times astray, pretending to be something he is not
• John was warning that not only would false teachers come from outside the church, but could come from inside the church as well

• 1 John 4:1, Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

• False teachers twist the truth, make it sound good, but denies the power of the Holy Spirit
• Unbelievers are led further away from the Truth by false teachers, and may refuse God outright
• Examine ourselves
  • Matthew 7:3, And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
• How have we served God? Have we done what we Should do?
• False teachers say 'look at me, look at me'
• When they should be saying 'look to Jesus, look to Jesus'
  • Matthew 7:21-23, Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
• Do we abide in the doctrine of Christ?
• Some refuse to accept the virgin birth, the resurrection, and the ascension
• They add to or take away from the scriptures

 
In verses 10-13:

• Do not encourage false teachers, by letting them in, you approve of what they say
• In early times, some church meetings were held in homes
• Here John is saying do not let them in
• Guilty by association
• If we are seen with a certain type of people, others may believe we are the same as them
• We are a peculiar people
  • 1 John 3:1, Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
  • Matthew 6:24, No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
• Work to win them to Christ but watch out for the devil's traps
• John felt it was too important to continue writing a letter, felt he could explain more in person
• False teaching is serious, do not overlook it

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