In John’s letter, he begins by saying, From the elder (which is himself), To the elect (chosen) lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not only I, but also, all those who have known the truth; for the truth’s sake, which lives in us, and shall be with us for ever.

          So, the chosen lady and her children, could be a woman and her kids, or it could be a city (Jerusalem?) and it’s people. John addresses her as one who he, and all those who have known the truth, love.

          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. I was very glad when I heard about your children walking in truth, as the Father commanded.

          And now I ask you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

THE ELECT LADY IN THE BIBLE LESSON WITH THE ELECT LADY IN THE BIBLE EXPLANATION   

       Sooooooooo, we’ve got either a family, or a city, walking uprightly, and John compliments this, but knowing the world, he feels compelled to throw in a little reminder. Uh, you’ve heard this before, he says, but it really bears repeating.

          And this is what love is: that we walk after His commandments. Because many deceivers have entered into the world, who don’t confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

          John points out here, that love must be wise because there are lots of false teachers around who want you to fall in love with their ideas, and that kind of love is not true.

          Be careful, and support one another, that we don’t lose the things that we’ve founded, but that we receive a full reward. Whoever transgresses, and doesn’t remain in the doctrine of Christ, does not belong to God. He that remains in the doctrine of Christ, he belongs to both the Father and the Son.

          If anybody comes to you, and doesn’t bring this doctrine, don’t welcome him into your house, or bid him God speed (success, or a prosperous journey): Because whoever bids him God speed, shares in his evil deeds.

THE ELECT LADY IN THE BIBLE INFORMATION WITH THE ELECT LADY IN THE BIBLE MEANING

          Have you ever done that before, not realizing what you were doing? Someone makes you an offer or proposes something that you know is wrong, and so you won’t seem rude to them, you say something like, “no thanks, but good luck.” It doesn’t occur to us until we read what John wrote, that in wishing them luck, we’re being rude to God. Who are we promoting here, anyway?

          John closes his letter, saying, Because I have so many things to say to you, I wish not to do it with paper and ink, but I hope to come to you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. The children of thy elect (chosen) sister greet thee. Amen. Again, here, John could be talking about a woman’s nieces and nephews, or the people of a neighboring city.

          Suppose this letter from John is written to us today. He’d be saying, If you’re walking uprightly, GREAT! But be aware, there are antichrists out there and you don't want to fall. Let me remind you, love one another, which is equivalent to God’s commandments. In love, however, be discerning, there are many who would love to deceive you. Have fellowship with God and with other Christians and stand up for your faith. I’ve got a lot more to tell you, but I won’t have enough ink for it all, so I’m planning to visit. Everyone here sends their best.

          Maybe John sent this letter to the same place he sent his first epistle, and these were the things that he thought they needed encouragement about. Maybe it was sent to a different place altogether, and these were the particular needs of that place. Whatever the case, his love for the Lord is clear in spreading the Gospel of Jesus and urging us to stand firm in our faith and love one another.

          Congratulations on completing another book of the New Testament, and next we have another brief letter from John, so come back soon and join in as we find out what his message will be next, right here at Daily Bread.