Book excerpt: John Examines the Power of True Bible Doctrine Through the Lens of Love Before being exiled to the island of Patmos where he wrote the book of Revelation, the apostle John penned three letters to the church at Ephesus. The Ephesian church was the largest in the ancient world and faced, as many churches of that time did, the dangerous doctrines of Jewish legalism and Hellenistic Gnosticism. The church was also dealing with false leaders more interested in gain and fame than in spreading the truth of the gospel. In response, John, who was the church's pastor for a time, wrote the Johannine epistles. And, as in his gospel, John addresses all of these issues through the lens of God’s love. Bob Yandian delves into John’s letters, verse by verse, using context and his own pastoral sagacity to illuminate John’s messages. In doing so, Pastor Yandian first provides historical and biblical background—including observance of the original Greek language—to bring alive the truths in John’s three letters. Pastor Yandian then encourages modern believers to apply these truths in response to God’s pure and unfailing love. Important Johannine themes Pastor Yandian explores in this commentary: The crucial differences between relationship and fellowship with God The reality of and remedy for sin in the believer’s life The outworking of sanctification The saving power of true doctrine The discerning power of the Holy Spirit within In this commentary, not only can readers expect valuable insight into the beloved apostle’s writings, they can also expect a gentle nudge to be more like Jesus and less like the modern church which, like the Ephesians, forgot their first love.