The Real Deal
The Real Deal
One Chapter Wonders: 2 John
Some things in life are hyped up and never really deliver. Others are the real deal. When you encounter something—or someone—that is the real deal, the quality backs up the reputation.
The apostle John writes his brief letter of 2 John with that kind of authenticity in mind. He wants believers to know how to be the real deal in their faith. Though this book is only one chapter long, it is filled with influence and power for both the first-century church and for us today.
Who Is John Writing To?
John identifies himself simply as “the elder.” This likely refers both to his age and his apostolic authority. He writes to “the lady chosen by God and to her children” (2 John 1). While this could refer to a specific woman and her family, it most likely refers metaphorically to a local church and its members.
The letter closes with greetings from “the children of your sister,” likely referring to John’s own congregation sending love to this sister church (2 John 13).
John writes with urgency because false teachers had infiltrated the church, twisting the message of Jesus. His goal is that the believers would remain the real deal by walking in truth, living in love, and guarding against deception.
Walk in Truth
Truth is not subjective or relative. Our culture often suggests that truth is fluid—that “your truth” and “my truth” can coexist, shaped by preference or opinion. But John reminds the church that God’s truth is eternal and unchanging.
“The elder, To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth—because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever.” (2 John 1–2)
This truth comes from God Himself and unites believers across time and geography. To walk in truth means both knowing God’s Word and living it out. Straying from truth—whether by neglecting Scripture, ignoring God’s commands, or letting culture redefine right and wrong—leads to spiritual danger.
John found great joy in seeing believers walk in truth. Would he find that same joy if he looked at your life today?
Live in Love
Love, too, has been redefined by culture to mean little more than feelings or tolerance. But John clarifies that biblical love is obedience to God’s commands.
“And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.” (2 John 6)
Love is not passive or sentimental; it is active. Just as a spouse would feel unloved if words were never backed by action, God receives hollow worship if it isn’t matched by obedience.
To be the real deal, love must be visible in our actions toward God and toward others.
Guard Against Deception
False teaching was already infiltrating the church in John’s day. Some denied that Jesus had come in the flesh, a heresy known as Docetism. John warns strongly against such deception:
“Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.” (2 John 7)
Deception often looks close to the truth, which makes it dangerous. That’s why believers must be deeply familiar with the real deal. Just as counterfeit money is detected by knowing the authentic currency, false doctrine is exposed by knowing the truth of God’s Word.
Today, false teaching spreads faster than ever through social media, podcasts, and online platforms. To guard against deception, we must fill our minds with Scripture and test every message against the Word of God.
Urgency of the Message
John had more he wanted to share in person, but he couldn’t wait to write about these essentials. They were too urgent. And they remain urgent for us today.
To be the real deal as followers of Christ, we must:
Walk in truth – knowing and living the Word of God.
Live in love – showing our devotion through obedience.
Guard against deception – staying rooted in truth to withstand false teaching.
SERMON DETAILS
Speaker: Jeff McNicol
Series: One Chapter Wonders
Sermon Title: The Real Deal
Date: Aug 31, 2025
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
2 John 1-13
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