A single piece of paper

08/10/2023 - Matthew Destry

What would you tell someone if you only had one A4 page to do it?

What was happening in 2 John?

The letter itself

The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

The recipient, the writer, the way things really are (truth)

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

An old command

7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we[a] have worked for, but may win a full reward. 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

A patient theology

The anatomy of Gnosticism

there is a secret to know (only the enlightened get it)

there is a salvation to experience (it’s about denying the flesh)

there is new revelation to receive (everything builds on what came before)

The antidote of the Gospel

<but the gospel is simple> the ‘open secret’ of the gospel

<but the gospel is embodied> the in-body experience of the gospel

<but Jesus has given us everything we need> the old-time religion of the gospel

What we make a test of fellowship is not often what the Bible makes as a test of fellowship

The Bible’s test: that you acknowledge that Jesus came in the flesh. That he was and is and will continue to be the son of God — that he died as God and man and also that the Father raised Him up

The great commandment and the great commission – Not motivated by fear but by love

12 Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

13 The children of your elect sister greet you.

Mouth-to-mouth