Focal Passage: II John 1-9
“Goblin mode.” I bet you are as confused as I was when I first read that phrase. Every year the Oxford dictionary picks one word that reflects the “ethos, mood or preoccupations of that particular year.” And yes, 2023’s word is goblin mode. I’ll leave it to you to look up what it means.
The word of the year for 2016 is a bit less weird and much more significant of a cultural commentary. In 2016 the word that captured the spirit of our society well enough to be the word of the year was “post truth.”
Oxford defined post truth as, “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.”
Our society essentially said feelings are more important than facts. I would argue that sentiment is more strongly held by our culture today then back in 2016.
Bosak
The implications for Christ-followers could not be more significant. We are living in a world that is actively de-emphasizing the very thing that we are to live by — truth. In a contrary culture our grip on God’s Word must be even stronger. As we know and live out the truth our light will shine even brighter in these dark days. Let’s see how.
In II John 1-9 John emphasizes truth and love. The relationship between these two realities is crucial to understand as we are seeking to show and share the love of Jesus in a “post truth” society.
The importance for believers to love one another and the impact truth has on this love is not something new for the Apostle John. In the 17th chapter of His gospel, John covers the High Priestly Prayer. I encourage you to read all of it but for our purposes focus on verses 17-21.
Notice the particulars of Jesus’ prayer in this part of the passage. Believers are to be sanctified by the truth, sent into the world, and enjoying a unity that is evidence of Jesus’ salvific incarnational mission. How do truth and love help us accomplish such an important mission?
Truth unifies as it sanctifies. Notice that “some” of the members of the church John was writing to were “walking in the truth” II John 4). Without unnecessarily bogging ourselves down by the negative implication of this verse, just keep in mind that some were not.
We know from John 17 that sanctification comes from the truth. Sanctification is understood as growing in holiness. Some of the members of this church were becoming more like Jesus.
As these individuals became more like Christ, imagine the sense of togetherness they experienced as they shared in freedom from sin, a common compassion, and the general joy of Jesus. Those who were not walking in the truth were missing out!
So, walking in the truth is allowing God’s Word to transform our lives and make us more like Jesus. As the individuals that make up the church involve themselves in this process the unity of that community grows.
And don’t forget what the Son prayed to the Father, “That they may all be one, just as you Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21). B&R
