The Way of Truth

Last week, in our study of discipleship, we turned from understanding how we are to make disciples to a focus on the way of the disciple. We started to consider the Greek word, didache, which we translate as doctrine or teaching, and I explained that this word really can best be understood as the way of life. It’s not just about what you know, but the way that you live in this world. So, we saw that the way of life is a way of obedience that is sound and self-controlled. This morning we turn to another aspect of this way of life, and we find that in 2 John 1:4-11. From this passage I want you to understand that the way of life is a way of walking and watching in truth.

First, in verses 4-6 we see that the way of life means that we walk in the truth. The Apostle John wrote 2 John to an unknown church, which he refers to as a “dear lady”, and the members of this church he calls “children.” He writes to say that he is greatly encouraged by what he hears of this church – that they are walking in the truth. This first statement raises a necessary question: what truth? This question is necessary, first and foremost, because no one knows what is true anymore. Our society is sick for lack of truth. When computers were first invented, we would need twice the space as this sanctuary to have enough computing power to do what you can now do with the calculator app on your iPhone. That same iPhone has access to a vast network of information – really, an inexhaustible treasure of information. That information is a result of over 500 years of scientific discovery and technological revolution. Those advances in technology and science came as a result of hard fought political and social revolutions of democracy, the rule of law, and liberty. And yet, the result of all of that has been a deceived and confused society. Instead of using the super-computers that fit in the palm of our hands for further advancements, we mindlessly scroll thru videos and play games for hours on end. Instead of using the information at our fingertips to improve our skills and make beautiful things, we skim the headlines that come across our feeds, lacking real understanding of any issue. Instead of finding common ground in the hard-fought rights and freedoms of democracy, we find fault in our fellow man, assume the worst of the other side of an issue, and fall further and further into our divisions. We do all of this while we claim to have our own version of the truth. To our society, truth is not a set of facts that everyone generally accepts. Truth is not a set of moral precepts to which everyone adheres. Truth is not a legal system to which everyone submits. Truth is whatever you make it.

So, what is truth? Jesus answers this question plainly and simply in two ways. In John 14:6 he declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Then, in John 17:17, Jesus prays, “Sanctify them in the truth, your word is truth.” From both statements we can see that truth is not whatever we make of it. Truth is what God reveals. God is the creator and sustainer of this world, and he defines what is true. He created this world in a way that is ordered and good. So, his word defines reality as it should be. And, God has ultimately revealed that reality in Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh. To know Jesus is to know the truth about life. To know God’s Word is to understand the truth about the world that he has created.

John’s hope for the church is that they would walk in the truth of Christ. Notice, John doesn’t rejoice that they know the truth. He doesn’t rejoice that they study the truth. John rejoices that they “walk in truth.” Understand, the truth is not known until we walk in it. When Leah and I found out that we were having Eden, we immediately got to planning. As young parents, there is so much thought – what are we going to name her? Where are we going to put her? How are we going to raise her? Being the philosopher I am, I thought a great deal, in those 9 months, of what it means to be a good father. I looked at the good example of my own father. I also considered some examples of bad fathers. I read Scripture on fatherhood, listened to podcasts, and read books. Right up to the moment of Eden’s birth, I thought I understood the truth about fatherhood. But, I did not know the truth of what it was to be a father until I held that 10 pound little eskimo in my arms. And, in an instant, I was changed. In an instant I went from knowing something to being something, and that change from knowing to being is what it means to walk in truth. In a similar way, you can hear all the sermons in the world. You can memorize the whole of the NT. You can know the great doctrines of the church. But until you place your faith in Jesus Christ and trust him with your eternal salvation, you are not walking in truth.

Second, I want you to see that the way of life means that we are watchful of the truth. In verses 7-11, John shifts from rejoicing to a warning. He warns that there are deceivers who deny that Jesus came in the flesh. During the time of John’s ministry, a group of heretics rose up who were known as the Gnostics. The Gnostics were influenced by Greek philosophy, and from that they had come to believe that the material world was evil, while the spiritual world was good. So, they taught that it was impossible that Jesus could be the Son of God and actually be human (because to be a part of the material world would make him evil). Therefore, they concluded that Jesus must have only appeared to be human. In believing this, they were denying an essential teaching of the Gospel – that Jesus was born in the flesh to live a completely obedient life for us. If Jesus were not fully human, then he could not offer back to God the obedience required of all humans. If Jesus had not offered back that obedience, then he could not pay the penalty for our sins by taking on our punishment on the cross. And if he had not taken our punishment, then we could not have atonement for our sins and be made right with God.

So, to deny this truth about Jesus was no innocent mistake. John says it is deceptive. Not only that, but in verse 7 he calls such a person an “antichrist.” Unfortunately, the name “antichrist” has been so muddled by obsessions over the end times and pop-culture that we miss its basic meaning. The antichrist is not any one person, but it is any person who is set against Christ (after all, the word literally means “one who is set against the Messiah”). As 1 John 4:3 says, “Every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.” Understand, there is no middle ground with Jesus. It is not that there is Jesus and the Antichrist with humanity stuck in the middle, trying to decide between the two. No! If you are not walking in the truth of Christ, you are set against Christ. You are an antichrist.

John warns us, then, in verse 8, to watch ourselves, lest we be deceived and fall away from the truth. He warns us, in verse 10-11 not to give any quarter to those who would deny the doctrines of Christ. Notice, if anyone comes denying the truth of God, not only are you not to receive them into your house, but you are not to give him any greeting (literally, you are not to “cheer” them).

Guarding the truth is something that each one of us must take seriously. As we leave today, I want you to think through how you might be receiving false teaching into your house. Are you careful about who you read or listen to when it comes to the doctrines of God? Are you careful of who you watch on Christian TV? I have found that Christians can be fairly naïve when it comes to Christian media. We think, if they claim to be a Christian they must be worth listening to. Oh, please don’t be naïve. Please be discerning of what you let into your home. In my opinion, the American church has been greatly harmed by many of the parachurch ministries, radio programs, publications, and television stations. What I have found is that these ministries have trained us to devalue the local church and replace it with easily consumed media. I hope that we will begin to reverse that trend. Let me encourage you, if you need guidance on whether you should pick up the new hot book from some Christian teacher, feel free to ask me. If you want to get into a good sermon podcast or radio program, I have some suggestions. And, let me suggest a standard that you should hold to: don’t read or listen to outside Christian sources more than you do the teaching of your local church. Christian books and sermon broadcasts can be a great help, but they should not overshadow your commitment to your local church. It is here that we hold each other accountable to the doctrines of Christ. It is here that we are watchful of each other and our teaching. So, may we commit ourselves to walking and watching in this truth as we leave this place.