Elect lady and the Message She Received
This is another un-named woman who was praised for her action of loving and reacting to the truth. The truth as taught in the Christian religion, respecting God and the execution of his purposes through Christ, and respecting the duties of man, opposing alike to the superstitions of the Gentiles and the inventions of the Jews, and the corrupt opinions and precepts of false teachers even among Christians. (2 John 1:7).
The elder found in 2 John 1 would have been one of the twenty four members of the heavenly Sanhedrin or court seated on thrones around the throne of God. (Strong. 2001, # 4245). John the apostle writes to the Elect Lady and her children. John, the apostle probably composed the letter during his ministry at Ephesus in the latter part of his life. (MacArthur. 2003. Pg 509). Not only did John love her in the truth so did he love all those that have known the truth sake.
Truth sake is the truth as taught in the Christian religion, respecting the LORD God and the execution of his purposes through Christ, and respecting the duties of man, opposing alike to the superstitions of the Gentiles and the inventions of the Jews, and the corrupt opinions and precepts of false teachers even among Christians. (Strong. 2001. # 225).
This Elect Lady, or chosen lady taught her children to also love the truth, respecting the LORD God through Jesus. This was no easy task to walk in the truth of Christ back then nor is it easy today to walk the walk of truth and to teach our children to do the same. She is an example for all of us to follow. Remembering the way of truth is by the cross of Jesus. Just like the relationship between the Elect Lady and John was centered on the love of truth we also should base our relationships on the love of truth.
What we know about this un-named and unknown Elect Lady is she taught her children to follow the Gospel of Truth. Such an honor that others recognized that she had trained her children to also walk in the truth and receive the commandment from the father. (2 John 1:4). John showed he knew her fairly well and there is evidence he had met here before in his ministry. She was reminded of the commandment of Jesus to love one another. (2 John 1:5). We have been instructed to love one another, as Jesus has loved us. (John 13:34). And this is love that we walk after the commandments of Jesus. This is the commandment, that, as you have heard from the beginning, we should walk in it. That is to love one another. (2 John 1:6).
We never know who is watching us in our everyday activity. We never know how people see our children and how our children represent us. It is one thing to have our children do what is expected and walk in the truth of Christ in our home and under our supervision. It is another thing when our children are away from our influence and are representing what they are all about.
John communicated with the Elect Lady and cautions her to look out for the deceiver because many deceivers are entered into the world. A deceiver can be anyone or anything that leads a person away from the truth of Jesus. A deceiver who does not confess that Jesus Christ came into the flesh. This is deceiver and an antichrist. (2 John 1:7). Jesus warned us, His children, we have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. We know the antichrist is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ. He is antichrist that denies the Father and the Son. (1 John 2:18-22). We are encouraged that every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof we have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4:3).
We are reminded that we must look within ourselves that we do not lose the things which we have learned so we receive a full reward. (2 John 1:8). Jesus said unto to take heed that no man deceive you. (Matthew 24:4). There shall arise false christ’s, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Jesus told us this beforehand. (Matthew 24:24-25). Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. (Hebrews 12:15). Revelation 3:11 tells us: “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”
Whosoever transgressed, and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ, does not have the LORD God. Those that abides in the doctrine of Christ, they have both the Father and the Son. (2 John 1:9). The Elect Lady was warned that those who do not remain in the doctrine of Christ rejects both the Father and the Son. Timothy tells us to keep the brothers in remembrance of the things of Jesus Christ and you shall be a good minister, nourishing up in the word of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto you have attained. (1 Timothy 4:6). If any man teaches otherwise, and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness. (1 Timothy 6:3).
This would have been exactly what the Elect Lady did was to teach her children the doctrine of Jesus Christ. That is what is expected from us as Women of Christ is to teach our children the doctrine of Christ in all truth and honesty. John did not stop there he continued by telling the Elect Lady what she was to do. If any come unto her and does not bring the doctrine or teachings of Jesus she is not to receive them into her house, neither is she to wish them God speed. (2 John 1:10). God’s speed a salutations, to give one greeting from the LORD. Those that would bid them God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (2 John 1:11).
This message to the Elect lady from John is essential to us today. Not only is our churches being infiltrated but our family life is also being invaded by those not abiding in the doctrine of God. Many deceivers are waging a war against the truth of Christ. These deceivers are attacking the morals, integrity and the truth of the family unit. We must safeguard our truth of Christ and keep our children and household true to Christ. Our personal life, family life, and church life must reflect the truth of Jesus Christ. The truth must live in us, and shall be with us forever. Our lives must be controlled by the love of the truth and a desire to teach that truth to our children. We must lay up the words of the LORD in our heart and in our soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that it might be a mark between our eyes. You shall teach them to your children teaching them when you sit in your homes, and when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall write them upon the door port of your house, and upon your gates, this is so the days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD. (Deuteronomy 11:18-21). “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:30-31). John had many things to write unto the Elect Lady that he would not write with paper and ink. He hoped to come to her, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. (2 John 1:12).
Being women of Christ we should try to follow the example of the Elect lady in 2 John. It is easy to forget the truth about Jesus with all the lies around today. The Biblical Jesus needs to be remembered in truth He is the only Son of the LORD God. It was Jesus Christ who paid the ultimate price for our sins. Jesus bled and died for us. The way to perfect truth is through the cross of Jesus. It is because of Jesus that we have the gift of the Holy Spirit that is our truth. All we have to do to receive the gift is believe on Jesus. The Holy Spirit is a witness to us. (Hebrews 10:15). Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1).
When we walk in the truth we are obeying it, and it consumes us and controls us in every aspect of our lives. The Elect Lady and her children were walking in the truth. The deceivers try to convenes us that the Commandments of the LORD is harsh and to unreasonably to follow. Jesus said: ìLittle children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:33-35).
Reference:
MacArthur, John. (2003). The MacArthur Bible Handbook. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Strong, James. (2001).The New Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “Elect lady and the Message She Received:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Oct 2014.<https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1458,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2014, October) “Elect lady and the Message She Received:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1458,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2014) “Elect lady and the Message She Received:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (October), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1458, (accessed).
