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.