Elect lady
2 John 1:1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
There is no name to identify the elect lady. My thoughts were of a church, for the church is in the feminine, the bride of Christ. The children of the elect church; the children of God. If John was writing to a lady, probably he would have mentioned her name, and yet, her children all elect, are the church; the body of Christ. The contents of this epistle are not private, but meant to be shared with the church to edify the body of Christ.
...whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
John continues, referring to the lady, that he loves her in the truth; and not only John but all who love the truth. This must be referring to a church, not a lady. All believers love those who dwell in truth in the churches, but not all believers know and love an unknown lady and her children.
2 John 1:2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
Love of the lady in the truth and for the truths sake. The word of God is the truth of God. Which dwells continuously in us; Christ Jesus dwells continuously in us through the Holy Spirit of truth and shall be with us for ever.
2 Cor 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
2 Cor 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Sealed, marked with the ownership by God, as a brand on cattle, or the wax seal on a contract with the kings ring insignia, showing the authority of the one who claims ownership. We are sealed with the earnest, as the money given to show the intent of ownership when buying land, his earnest is the indwelling Spirit of God in our mortal bodies, showing that we belong to Him. This is the same Spirit that will indwell us for all eternity in our new glorified bodies. We all hope for this promise.
2 John 1:3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
The customary blessing. I remember my friend Randy asking about God's mercy. He received mercy and grace, he was forgiven and translated into the kingdom of God. This a gift from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, His son, in truth and love. Jesus has brought us truth and love, from His Father.
Love and Truth
2 John 1:4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
The children of the Lord must walk in truth. It is the way of the Lord. This brings great joy to Paul who had dedicated his life to the preaching of the gospel truth.
2 John 1:5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
2 John 1:6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
Walk in love and keep his commandments. For what is love if based not in the truth? Will love save you? Does God love a lying heart?
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
The deceiving spirits, the antichrist spirit, one of which denies that Jesus has come in the flesh.
What is our communion service, but a remembrance of the offering of Jesus' flesh and blood as our sacrifice offering for sins?
Mat 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
Mat 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
Do not let a false teacher take away from you the things which you have believed and ministered to others of the truth. We don't want to come to Jesus in confusion or with empty hands. Get busy for the Lord in love and in truth.
Reject False Teachers
2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
I recently received an email denouncing the work of Neil Anderson from someone on my mailing list. I went to the critics website and found a list of most every major Christian leader, Charles Stanley, even Billy Graham. The critic had focused on each one, destroying them, finding some perceived failings in word or deeds. This is the work of antichrist. We are not to destroy one another and we are not to touch God's annointed servants. I have found in witnessing and seeing the power of God in peoples lives, that I did not really know all about God. He can work in so many different ways. He has revealed things to me that only he knows. We do not tear down our brothers and sisters in Christ. All under a close look will have failings, yet do they glorify God? Are they being used to bless the church? Do they speak the truth? Perhaps not everyone agrees on some issues, but on the important things of the gospel of Christ all agree. Think about what Jesus said about those who stood for truth, but secretly desired to destroy the work of Christ..
Mat 22:15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
Mat 22:16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
Mat 22:17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
Mat 22:18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
Mat 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Mat 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
2 John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
2 John 1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
This command is often applied to not letting the Jehovahs Witnesses into your house when they come calling. Unlike the major leaders of our church, these preach a false way of works denying the atonement of God the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. It is best to speak the truth to them on the doorstep. If you are unsure of the truth, bid them to leave, but not with God's blessings. I apply this to the Internet chats as well, when one who is of an evil spirit comes in, we do not give him God's blessings when he leaves. Are we judging? No, we are discerning and obeying scriptures.
2 John 1:12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
There is nothing more special then the fellowship of brothers and sisters in the Lord.
2 John 1:13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
The children; elect of the sister church greet you. John concludes this epistle to the sister church. The message is love and truth and beware of those who would destroy your faith. Often this threat comes from within the church, like the critic, doing the work of satan under the false cloak of truth. Beware of those who are often very clever but who will destroy your faith.
Gary
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