The timeless themes of John’s letters serve to equip the church in the midst of today’s cultural challenges.
By Rod Elledge
In his three letters, John addresses believers at their point of need as they face the temptations and deceptions of a world system in rebellion against God and His advancing kingdom. His often-neglected message of encouragement and exhortation reflects a timeless tapestry of themes that address questions, concerns, and challenges reflected in church life today. T
here are at least five points of major emphasis in John’s letters that underscore the relevance of 1-3 John today.
1. John’s letters affirm the importance of loving one another within the family of God
The beloved disciple affirms that followers of Christ love one another. “The one who loves his brother or sister remains in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him” (1 John 2:10, CSB). “Let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth” (1 John 3:18, CSB). In 2 John, the apostle highlights God’s command “that we love one another” (2 John 5, CSB).
An unloving spirit quickly creates conflict and undermines fellowship in a local church body. Contrast this sad but common reality with a church culture that reflects the in-breaking aspects of God’s kingdom—believers caring for, supporting, serving, and forgiving one another as forgiven sinners redeemed by God.
John’s recurring theme underscores the related nature of our love for God, His love for us, and our love for one another. The embodiment of this message serves to build up the local body of Christ and allows it to present a radical picture of grace to a watching world.
2. John’s letters highlight a call to obedience
A succinct and challenging call for obedience confronts the reader throughout John’s letters. What does it mean to love God? It is “to keep his commands” (1 John 5:3, CSB).
With his black-and-white language and direct statements, John leaves no room for “middle ground.” One is either a child of God or a child of the devil. “The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God” (3 John 11, CSB). His message challenges the notion of the “nominal” Christian who goes to church but clings to the world, emphasizing the high calling of the Christian life.
Yet, John is not speaking of perfection. Rather, he emphasizes that the follower of Christ is to reflect a pattern of life that honors God. When we sin, we repent and confess our failure to God who is “faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins” (1 John 1: 9, CSB).
Expositing John’s theme of obedience provides an opportunity to unpack critical biblical concepts such as conviction of the Holy Spirit, mentorship, accountability, church discipline, and the doctrine of sanctification.
“John's message challenges the notion of the ‘nominal’ Christian who goes to church but clings to the world, emphasizing the high calling of the Christian life.” — Rod Elledge Share on X3. John’s letters contribute to a deeper understanding of the person and work of Christ
John consistently returns to the importance of believing in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (cf. 1 John 4:2; 5:1, 10). Christ is our advocate (1 John 2:1) and the atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 2:2).
If asked, how many people in your local church could articulate a clear understanding of the gospel? From my experience, many churchgoers cannot. They may have a saving knowledge of the work of Christ and a genuine conversion but have a shallow understanding of the substitutionary work of Christ on the cross.
This lack of grounding in the rich, multifaceted nature of the gospel can hinder spiritual growth and open one up to being misled by world ideologies and false gospels that are so prevalent in our culture.
4. John’s letters warn believers of false teachers
John warns his readers about the dangers of the deceivers in their midst. In 1 John, those who have split from the church continue to spread false teaching; John warns them of these deceivers and encourages them that they hold the truth, the apostolic witness they originally received (1 John 2:26-27; cf. 2:18-20; 3:7; 4:1). In 2 John, the elder warns a local church body against receiving false teachers (deceivers, who are nothing more than mouthpieces of the antichrist).
Are those under our care prepared and equipped to discern the false teachings that permeate our culture? The harmful message of the prosperity gospel can often be found on Facebook pages and bookshelves of many churchgoers. The continuing influence of “New Age” teachings and beliefs (crystal healing, astrology, mysticism, etc.) still insinuate their way into the practices and beliefs of many churchgoers.
“Are those under our care prepared and equipped to discern the false teachings that permeate our culture?” — Rod Elledge Share on XA faithful exposition of John’s letters presents a needed warning concerning the erroneous, current-day ideologies and the lures of the world.
5. John’s letters encourage an evaluation of our faith
The beloved disciple writes 1 John to those who believe in Christ so they may know they have eternal life (1 John 5:13). In each of his letters, John highlights evidence of genuine faith. The evaluation of one’s faith in light of John’s words will offer encouragement for some and conviction for others.
Just as some believers carry the burden of doubt, others have a false sense of assurance. They have adopted a “Christian identity” based upon their own merits rather than repentance of sin and submission to the lordship of Christ. John’s message offers a strong corrective for both individuals.
1-3 John reverberate with relevance for today. Just as John’s letters provided needed encouragement and exhortation to their original readers, his words continue to meet church bodies at their points of need today.
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