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Lessons from the Second Epistle of John
2 John
By Ken Raggio
The Elect Lady And Her Children
This second epistle was written exclusively to "the elect lady and her children." In closing, John added, "the children of thy elect sister greet thee." In his advanced years, John obviously had an affectionate relationship with this large family. His concern was, above all else, for their spiritual welfare. He was deeply thankful for her love for truth, but he expressed the greatest concern that she not be taken in by any false ministers who did not preach the true doctrine of Christ. Such warnings are in order today.
2 John 1:1 - "The elder unto the elect lady and her children."
Truth Will Be With Us Forever
John and the other saints loved the elect lady "for the truth's sake." To be known far-and-wide as a lover of Truth is remarkable. Our generation is tragically losing contact with Truth. A cacophony of voices pumps chaos, confusion and anarchy into our minds. Nevertheless, God's Truth will never perish. Truth thrives in the hearts in His people, and the Word of God will endure throughout eternity. Believe it. Trust it. Obey it.
2 John 1:1-2 - "...whom I love in the truth, ...for the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever."
Rejoice When Your Children Are Walking In Truth
John wrote to some "elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth," and sent his blessings to her. "Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, ...in truth and love." He shared his excitement that her family was following the Apostolic doctrine. It should always be an exciting, notable, and praiseworthy thing whenever your family is living for God. Rejoice and bless the Lord.
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."
This Is Love, That You Walk After His Commandments
Christianity is watered-down with easy-believism and perverted teachings about grace. Anything resembling rules and regulations is viciously assaulted as "LEGALISM!" But that is very, very wrong. The New Testament contains hundreds of commandments, many re-instituted from the Old Testament. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments." Bottom line? If you don't keep His commandments, you don't really love Him. Teaching and obeying Biblical commandments is not legalism.
2 John 1:6 - "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."
This Is A Deceiver And An Antichrist
John "the beloved" was one of the three "insiders" with Peter and James who knew Jesus intimately. He knew that Jesus was the invisible God incarnate in flesh. John called it the doctrine of Christ. John also knew that the Antichrist spirit denies the incarnation. "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."
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."
Do Not Bid A Heretic Godspeed - No Blessing
The doctrine of Christ is supremely sacred and must never be compromised. Jesus is the incarnation of the invisible God. Never let anybody tell you any different. If anyone brings any Gospel to you that is not based upon the true doctrine of God in Christ, forbid him into your home. Do not bless him. If you do, you too are guilty of heresy.
2 John 1:10-11 - "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds."
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Ken Raggio
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