“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” (2 John 9).

What’s the Big Deal About Doctrine?

In his bestselling book, The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren writes of the judgment, “God won’t ask about your religious background or doctrinal views. The only thing that will matter is, did you accept what Jesus did for you and did you learn to love and trust him?”

Do we think doctrine is just a word for the minutia people argue about when all that matters is faith and love?

A lot about this statement is true, but it also represents a “just Jesus” evangelical culture that considers one’s doctrine separate from one’s relationship with the Lord. Do we think doctrine is just a word for the minutia people argue about when all that matters is faith and love?

Inseparable

According to our text (2 John 9), if we try to hold onto Jesus instead of his doctrine, we’ll lose both. We can’t separate Christ from Scripture’s teaching, nor can we separate how we live in Christ from what we believe and teach. Our relationship with Jesus comes from his teaching. The person who knows “the Father and the Son” is the one who “abides in the teaching” (2 John 9).

“Truth” is a crucial word in Second John, starting with the first few verses. First, he says to love in truth (2 John 1) and know the truth (2 John 1). He adds that truth abides in us and is with us forever (2 John 2). He closes his opening greeting by praying for grace to be with us “in truth and love” (2 John 3), then starts the body of the letter with the observation that some are “walking in the truth” (2 John 4). We can see why the truth takes a starring role when we notice the threat of “deceivers” that prompts John’s writing (2 John 7).

We can’t separate Christ from Scripture’s teaching, nor can we separate how we live in Christ from what we believe and teach.

6 Traits of Truth

1. Its Source: It matters because it is the teaching of our King! We serve on the spiritual mount of the Lord, where He alone is the teacher (Isa. 2:2-3).
2. Its Reliability: The doctrine of Christ is always true. “All flesh is like grass … but the word of the Lord remains forever” (1 Pet. 1:24-25).
3. Its Exclusivity: We don’t want to exclude anyone, but the truth is singular. Conflicting ideas can not be equally valid. The doctrine of Christ allows us to know what is and what is not, like a boundary around us (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
4. Its Reality: There is inherent value in knowing what is true. It grounds us and allows us to have confidence in our decisions, knowing God shows us what is genuine, factual, and authentic (John 17:17).
5. Its Completion: Many philosophies and worldviews are helpful sometimes but not practical in every situation. The doctrine of Christ meets every need and directs us in every situation (1 Tim. 3:16-17).
6. Its Aim: The purpose of the doctrine is to reconcile us and maintain a saving relationship with the Lord (1 Tim. 4:16).

3 Images Show How to Hold to Christ’s Doctrine

This verse (2 John 9) leaves no room for devaluing Christ’s doctrine, innovating with it, or stepping outside it. Scripture consistently repeats that anyone who goes beyond what is written puts themselves outside God’s favor (Deut. 4:2; 1 Cor. 4:6; Rev. 22:18-19). But 2 John 9-10 helps us understand this principle with three specific images of Christ and the doctrine.

Sometimes, we can get a little ahead of Christ or lose sight of him and wander onto a different route. When that happens, we haven’t just left Christ’s doctrine. We have left the Father and the Son

1. Where You Stay — To “abide” means to stay, to make our abode and remain. The doctrine is like a home whose walls secure us in Christ. If we settle ourselves into his doctrine, living and teaching within the truth, we have Christ.
2. Where You Go — The second is a traveling picture. Sometimes, my son sprints ahead when our family walks around the zoo. He thinks we’re too slow, or maybe he wants to see something new. Disciples might have the same impatience and want something new. But if we try to walk with Christ that way, we’ll lose our way. This letter says we walk IN the truth (2 John 4), but some want to run ahead (2 John 9). It’s as if Christ is leading a caravan of people to a particular destination, with his pace and his path guided by truth. Sometimes, we can get a little ahead of Christ or lose sight of him and wander onto a different route. When that happens, we haven’t just left Christ’s doctrine. We have left the Father and the Son (2 John 9).
3. Who You Receive — The next verse shows someone coming to your door with another teaching. John commands us not to receive or even greet them (2 John 10). We must distinguish between those who teach the truth and those who go outside it. Just because someone calls themselves a Christian does not mean they have Christ. Test everything by God’s Word (1 Thes. 5:21; Acts 17:11).

How Do We Abide in the Truth?

Study to find it, then believe it, teach it, live it, and take a stand to protect it. God sets his people apart by Christ’s doctrine. Is there something you need to seek the truth about? Get out your Bible, a notebook, and a concordance. Read everything the Bible says about the subject, noting what you learn. You may be amazed at how much clarity you can find by reading the Word.

The Big Idea

If we try to hold onto Jesus instead of his doctrine, we’ll end up losing both. His teaching shows us the way to a relationship with him.

Discussion Question

How do we discern the difference (Phil. 1:9-11; Heb. 5:14) between arguing about words (2 Tim. 2:14) and contending for the faith (Jude 3)?