The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 John 1:1-13, “The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth,
2 for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever:
3 Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4 I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father.
5 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.
6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
8 Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.
9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting;
11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.
12 Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that your joy may be made full.
13 The children of your chosen sister greet you.”

Have you ever opened a letter, thinking it was for you –only to find that it wasn’t? Well, that’s certainly not what this Lady discovered when a letter arrived from the Apostle John! It’s a kind and gracious letter –brief and to the point, but saturated with personal concern, much like any caring preacher would send to a dear, spiritually mature lady in his congregation.

In verses 1-3, the Apostle John introduces the letter with some loving, caring words. It was characteristic of early writers to identify themselves at the outset of their writings, so as not to hold the recipient in suspense of the writer’s identity until the very end.

John wastes no time in commending the Lady for the spiritual and moral behavior of her children. All godly mothers want to hear such good things about their children.

The insertion of the words “some of,” italicized in verse 4, indicates that the translator has included it. At the same time, good and noble women often have children that neglect to follow the faith of their parents.

Assuming that one of the children has left the faith, John is nevertheless encouraging this Lady, saying, Let’s just continue to love one another and “walk according to His commandments.”

Despite his words of love and commendation, John warns of the deceivers that are in the world. “Be careful – don’t slip!” he says. There are “many deceivers” in the world that deny that Jesus has come physically to this planet. Be careful! Don’t slip! is his admonition. Moreover, don’t abide in the teaching of anyone who denies that Jesus has come physically into the world.

Further, concerning those who come to you with such a message of denial, “do not receive them into your house!” Don’t even give them a greeting! If you do, you’re as much a part of their evil ventures as they!

It is as true today as it was in John’s first century. With a nice smile and a gentile “hello,” we still have those who knock at our doors, advocating false doctrine!

Stay with the Word of God, the Holy Scriptures! They have been given to us by the LORD in order that we might grow to be more like Him day by day. I hope you’re working to do just that. It’s not always easy, but it is spiritually profitable!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom