What Does 2 John 1:1 Mean?

The Elder: To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth-and not only I, but also all who have come to know the truth-

2 John 1:1(HCSB)

Verse of the Day

The aging apostle John wrote a brief letter to a godly woman and her children, encouraging them to hold fast to that which is good and true as outlined in the Word of truth. He also warned them to be on their spiritual guard, for false teachers and doctrines of demons were aggressively infiltrating the Body of Christ in those early days of the Church, just as they are today in these final days of the dispensation of grace.

John knew the importance of holding fast to the truth, for he had walked with Jesus Who was full of grace and truth. He had lived with the One who was the way, and the truth, and the life. John had been filled with the Spirit of truth and was present when the Lord Jesus Christ proclaimed, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."

Oh yes, John had been chosen by the God of truth to proclaim the gospel of truth, and he had been witness to Christ's final prayer for the Church, which is His Body: "I have given them the words that You gave Me, and they have received them and have come to know the truth... sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth."

Truth is neither relative nor comparative. Truth is not changeable or changing. Truth is not a movable point on a fluctuating line of man's reasoning, nor is it discovered on a relative continuum which changes with society's attitudes or actions. Truth cannot be moderated to fit into one's own perceived notion of truth, nor can it be changed to line-up with a pet philosophy or unbiblical ideology.

Sadly, the truth of God's Word is being aggressively distorted by many false teachers today. John calls these people "deceivers" and "antichrists" who have infiltrated much of Christendom today and who are contaminating the Word of truth with satanic lies and the deceit of this world. The words of John to the elect lady and her children are as meaningful to lovers of truth today as when he wrote his epistle: "I love ALL of you in the truth-and not only I, but also all who have come to know the truth."

Let us seek to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the truth of God's Word and align ourselves with lovers of truth who are submitted to the Spirit of truth and Who binds us together in a bond of peace and love. Let us remember the words of Jesus: "If you abide in my Word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your Word of truth and for the unalterable promises it contains. Thank You for the indwelling Spirit of truth Who has promised to guide us into all truth as we abide in Him and He in us. Help me to walk in spirit and truth, and protect me from any teaching that distorts Your Word of truth. Give me the spirit of discernment and wisdom so that I may recognize the one and only truth, which is found in Christ alone. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

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