Again in II John notice that truth and love go together. Christians cannot have fellowship where there is false doctrine and lying. In verses 4-6 John admonishes us to practice truth. Note the repetition of the word "walk" in this chapter. Truth is not something we study about or believe; it is a motivating force in our lives. It is not enough to know the truth; we must show it through our actions wherever we are. John rejoiced because certain of this lady's children were walking in the truth. This is the equivalent of "walking in the light" which was discussed in I John 1. Christian love is not an emotion that we work up; it is simple obedience to the Word of God. When children love their parents, they obey them. If we love God, we will obey Him. Christ said, "If you love me, keep my commandments." Christians too often love the Bible, but hate the brethren! While saints might differ in their interpretations of certain passages in the Word, they must all agree on loving one another. Where there is a sincere love for the Bible, there will be a sincere love for God's people. Loving the truth and loving the brethren cannot be separated!
Not only must we practice the truth, but we must also protect it. There will come many false teachers who will try to deceive. In verses 7-11 John tells us that if a teacher comes and denies that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, then he is false and from the Antichrist. While there will be one great man of sin (or Antichrist) in the end times, the spirit of Antichrist is already in the world (I John 4:3). John also says those will come who will want to destroy the Christian and the things that have been wrought in Christ. The best way to get detoured in your Christian walk, and to lose all the spiritual ground you have gained, is to get tied up with false doctrine. Satan is a destroyer, and he uses lies to rob saints of their blessings. Throughout this chapter, John warns us not to entertain false teachers in our homes, or even to greet them! Any aid we give them is to share in their evil deeds. Find out what a man believes before you let him in your home or give him a donation. Check with your pastor if you have any questions. Whatever you do, don't be led astray by those who claim to be of God, but are really of Satan!
The third epistle of John is the shortest book in the Bible, containing only 299 words. John's second epistle is the next shortest, with only 303 words. These two epistles were personal little notes to friends whom John expected to visit very soon. The title "elder" was that of John himself and the "elect lady" may have been a literal person, or may have been a particular church called by a woman's name. The word "truth" is used four times in the first four verses of this little book.
The writer of the Book of Jude was the half- brother of Christ, called Judah in Mark 6:3. Jude does not boast of his earthly relationship to Christ, but rather calls himself a "servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James." The purpose of the letter is stated in verses 3 and 4. He warns the believers of the false teachers in the church. Peter (II Peter 2) warned that false teachers would come. Jude says they are now at work. He identifies these men as the same men Peter described--creeping in secretly, bringing in false doctrine, and living in sin. "Turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness" means that they told people that grace opened the door for living as they pleased.
