This morning we're going to look together at one of the shortest books in the Bible—2 John. This is a text that has always fascinated me. Its message is focused and emphatic. It's also a very simple message—even though lots of Christians seem to miss it. Here's the central message of this epistle: We who love Christ, love His truth, and love His people are not to lend aid and comfort to people who are avowed enemies of truth—especially false prophets, deceitful teachers, phony apostles, or missionaries for some religious cause other than the true gospel of Christ. They often use the name of Christ but preach a different gospel or a different Christ.
Christian charity and the duties of unity and brotherhood do not demand that we show honor or hospitality indiscriminately to everyone who claims fidelity to Christ. In fact, there are many deceivers in the world who call themselves Christians while promoting the agenda of antiChrist. We need to learn to discern who they are, and authentic love—not the sentimental modern notion of love, but true, biblical love—forbids us to take part with them in their wicked works. That's the whole point of 2 John.
The importance of this epistle is huge, especially compared to its small size. It's only 13 verses total. Third John has 14 verses but slightly fewer words. So going by the Greek text, 3 John is the shortest book in the Bible. Second John is only a few words longer. The second and third epistles of John are similar in both length and style. Both of them are personal epistles, addressed...
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Phil Johnson is Executive Director of Grace to You, the media ministry of John MacArthur. Phil is also an elder at Grace Community Church, where he pastors the GraceLife fellowship group. He is probably best known for his websites, which include The Spurgeon Archive and The Hall...