Truth, love, division, fellowship, imitating others: points such as these, and many more, are frequently controversial in the Christian life today. And the Bible is ever relevant to them! 2 and 3 John, the smallest books in the Bible, are often unjustly neglected. In this stimulating guide, which includes several points of application and questions to think about and discuss, Terence Crosby explores a range of topics in the light of what the apostle John had to say in his other writings.
“Some Christians emphasize love at the expense of truth; others emphasize truth at the expense of love. John was careful to keep love and truth in the right balance.” (Page 16)
“Truth needs to be known, and God desires all men ‘to come to the knowledge of the truth’ (1 Tim. 2:4)” (Page 22)
“John makes it clear that all three persons of the Trinity, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, can be identified with the truth.” (Page 19)
“What we have to avoid is association with them in their evil deeds. We are not to greet these people as Christians as we ‘greet one another’; we are not to receive them into the ‘house’ of God to stand in our pulpits or to take part in leading our church services; we are not to join with them in missions or other ‘Christian’ work. Fellowship with them in any of these ways is to join with them in their wicked work. ‘Division is better than agreement in evil’, said the Puritan George Hutcheson.” (Pages 54–55)
“John’s opening reference to love shows that, if we have the right relationship to truth, love will surely follow” (Page 30)