Some things naturally go together—coffee and cream, peanut butter and jelly, salt and pepper. In the same way, love and truth are inseparable in the Christian life. The Apostle John, often referred to as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23), wrote extensively about love, using the Greek word “agape” over 80 times in his writings. However, John also emphasized truth just as much, mentioning it 25 times in the New Testament and five times in 2 John alone. Love and truth are two sides of the same coin; without truth, love is incomplete, and without love, truth becomes harsh and ineffective.

In 2 John 1:1-2, John greets “the elect lady and her children,” referring to the church, stating his love for them “in truth”—not based on mere feelings but on the unchanging foundation of God’s word. Feelings fluctuate, but truth remains constant. As John explains in 1 Corinthians 13:6, love “rejoices in the truth,” and Ephesians 4:15 calls believers to “speak the truth in love.”

John, now an elderly leader of the church, writes with both affection and urgency. He warns against false teachers—specifically, the Gnostics who denied that Jesus came in the flesh. These heretics were being welcomed into the homes of believers, spreading deception within the church. John boldly confronts this issue, reminding them that true love cannot remain silent in the face of error. Real love requires speaking truth, even when it is difficult. Truth is often painful, offensive, and unpopular, but it is also universal and unchanging.

John highlights that truth never changes, just as Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Society changes—technology evolves, people change, and culture shifts—but God’s truth remains. Today, many claim that truth is relative, but John reminds believers that God’s truth is absolute. The world may argue that there are multiple answers to mathematical or moral questions, but Scripture teaches that there is only one way to salvation—Jesus Christ.

God’s unchanging nature is a source of grace, mercy, and peace (2 John 1:3). If God were moody or inconsistent, our salvation would be uncertain. Instead, His nature, character, and laws remain constant. John expresses joy that some in the church are “walking in truth” (2 John 1:4), meaning they are genuinely loving God and one another. However, not all were following this path—many were engaging in what John might call “sloppy agape,” a love that is disconnected from truth. Some church members refused to confront false teachers because they feared being labeled intolerant. But John warns that allowing deception to spread is not love—it is negligence.

2 John 1:7 warns of deceivers who deny Christ’s incarnation, calling them antichrists. John urges believers to guard themselves against these influences, for even offering hospitality to such teachers makes one complicit in their falsehood (2 John 1:10-11). Silence in the face of evil enables its spread. If you see deception creeping in, you must speak up, just as John did.

In 3 John, John writes to Gaius, a faithful believer, encouraging him to continue walking in truth and to support traveling preachers who teach sound doctrine. Gaius was growing spiritually, but John desired that he also prosper in health and resources so he could continue being generous (3 John 1:2-4). Generosity and spiritual maturity are connected—those who trust God will give freely, knowing He will provide (2 Corinthians 9:6-8, Proverbs 11:25). Unfortunately, not all in the church were generous or supportive. A man named Diotrephes, driven by pride and a hunger for control, was rejecting true teachers and spreading malicious words against John and his followers. In contrast, Demetrius was commended for his good testimony (3 John 1:12).

John concludes by emphasizing the importance of face-to-face fellowship, something that many have neglected in today’s digital world. He expresses a desire to visit the church in person rather than relying on written communication (2 John 1:12, 3 John 1:13-14).

The key takeaway from John’s letters is that truth and love must go hand in hand. If we truly love someone, we will speak the truth in love, even when it is difficult. Before confronting someone, we must first pray, examine our own hearts, and approach them with humility.

At Calvary Chapel West Jacksonville, under the leadership of Pastor Allen Victor, we are committed to loving one another in truth. We believe in standing firm on God’s unchanging word and walking in obedience to His commandments.

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