◄ What Does 2 John 1:4 Mean? ►

Whether this epistle was written to a particular lady and her own children or referred to believers who had come to faith through her word and witness, is not the main issue. John was expressing his great joy at finding that some of her children were walking in spirit and truth. They were being guided by the truth of the gospel of grace and living in obedience to the command that had been received from the Father.

For many years, John had faithfully taught the Word of truth and seen many come to a saving faith in Christ Jesus, and it rejoiced his pastor's heart to hear that some of the believers connected with this dear, godly lady, were living righteous lives, walking in the truth of God's Word, and living lives that honoured the Lord Who bought them with His own blood.

Faithfulness to the truth of God's Word and devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ is the essence of Christianity. It is foundational to living a life that honours the Lord and obeys His command. It demonstrates a life that maintains fidelity to the truth of God's Word - a life that is inseparably united with others, in love - for Christ's command to His people to "love one another as I have loved you, for by this shall all men know that you are My disciples."

The truth about which John is speaking is the truth that was received from our Heavenly Father - that God is love and that the love of God is truly perfected in those who hold fast to the truth of His Word, submit to His will, and keep His commandments. The truth is that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.

The truth is that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures. The truth is that God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. The truth is that God did not send His Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

Yes, John was very glad to find that some of the children of the elect lady, to whom his letter was addressed, were being led by the Spirit and walking in the truth that John had taught them. The children of the elect lady were walking in truth, in keeping with the command that was given from the Father.

John knew how important it was to know the truth, protect the truth, preserve the truth, and live out the truth in our everyday life. He knew that it was essential to apply the truth, practice the truth, preach the truth, and walk in truth on a daily basis. The Lord Jesus, Himself, said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man comes unto the Father but by Me," and this elderly disciple of Christ rejoiced because these children were occupied with Christ and obeying His command - which from the beginning was to love one another.

John is often referred to as the apostle of love while Paul is seen as the apostle of grace - but the truth of the gospel of Christ is rooted and grounded in love and grace - together with mercy and compassion, goodness and faithfulness, joy and peace in believing, patience and self-control. Perhaps more than any other disciple, John stressed the love of God.

In his Gospel, he quoted Christ's instruction: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." In his first Epistle, he reminded his readers: "Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard... On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining."

And here in 2 John, it is love that is the focus of the truth in which the children of the elect lady were walking, we read, "I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father... now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another."

May we, like the children in this Epistle, walk in the truth of God's Word and keep his commandment knowing that God, Who is rich in mercy and of great goodness, demonstrated the great love with which He loved us... in that although we were dead in our transgression and sin, He made us alive, together with Christ, and saved us by His grace. 

The man or woman who is walking in truth is the one who is not only doctrinally sound... but who is humble of heart, growing in grace, standing fast on the Word, rejoicing in the Lord, and living in love and unity with their brothers in Christ. The one who is living in truth is the one who is submitted to God, standing firm in the faith, resisting the evil one, and permitting the Word of God and the truth it contains to dwell within them richly, with all wisdom and in love as it is applied in their lives for the glory of God.

Heavenly Father, I praise and thank You for this little Epistle of second John, which reminds us of the importance of walking in the truth of God's holy Word and fulfilling His command to love one another in the same way that Christ loved us and gave Himself for us. May I continue to walk in truth and love, just as Christ commanded us, and may my life be a living testimony of Your goodness and grace for Your name's sake and for Your greater glory. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.