Note:
While there are many themes that could be gathered from this epistle, I felt
that it would be best to highlight what appears to be the major one. As a result
only one outline will appear in this section.
Truth Known and Obeyed
Those who love the truth obey it.
Those who obey the truth love it.
Those who both love and obey the truth are true followers of Christ.
John is responding to the Gnostic error of his day.
We are not free of the Gnostic error today
i.e. Faith & Prosperity Movements, New Age cults.
All who love the truth accept the doctrine of the Trinity.
All who love the truth accept the doctrine of the divinity of Christ.
It is always a joy to see a church living in such truth (:4).
Few there be that actually walk according to the truth.
How few are committed to obedience to God's word!
The Need for Obedience
True love / unity must be based on truth.
False unity is based solely upon compromise.
Compromise is the way of the deceiver, antichrist, and Satan.
No wonder the false churches go after unity based on compromise.
There are so many false teachers out there in the world.
This is why it is so important for us to live by the truth.
Many have fallen from grace because they stopped following truth.
Warning against Mixing with Heretics
We must reject and resist all who undermine the truth.
We cannot say "God Bless You" to them.
This also means that we cannot wish them success and happiness.
Otherwise we are partakers of their sin.
Otherwise we are found agreeing with their error.
Separation is needed to uphold and defend the truth.
No fellowship with those who obey not the truth.