Gospel Reality (2 John 4-6)

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MPS: Rejoicing, love, and obedience is the reality of Gospel living.

The Gospel brings forth rejoicing. (4)

4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 

• Rejoicing is an everlasting happiness that endures all things.
  • The joy that comes from walking in the truth perseveres in the midst of opposition, resistance, and the changing culture.
• Walking in truth brings joy to those who are walking.
  • Walking in the truth is walking in the light, which expels the darkness. Those who reject the truth find their home in the darkness.
  • “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)
  • “20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isa. 5:20)
• Walking in truth brings joy within the church.
  • The truth binds us together and brings joy as we worship God collectively.
• The truth is rooted in Christ and the Gospel.
  • “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” (Jn. 14:6)
• The truth of the Gospel affects how we live.
  • “10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” (Eph. 5:10-11)

The Gospel brings forth love and obedience. (5-6)

5 And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.

• The command to love and obey is old, but needs emphasis. (1Jn. 2:7; 2Jn. 4)
  • Love can be difficult as it is selfless and easily misunderstood.
  • Obedience can be difficult because it requires death to self but can also be misunderstood as something that achieves God’s love or approval. It doesn’t!
• We are to love God and one another. (Mt. 22:37-39)
  • “37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”(Mt. 22:37-39)
• Obedience to God’s truth expresses love towards Him. (v. 6)
  • To reject God’s truth and Word is to reject Him

Next Steps

• Reflect on the Gospel
• Rejoice in the Gospel
• Respond to the Gospel