at a glance
author: The apostle John.
date: Between AD 85 and 95.
setting: “The lady chosen by God and … her children” may have been actual friends of the apostle John, or “the chosen lady” may have been a figure of speech for a church and “her children” the members.
verses to remember: Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them (9–10).
theme to consider: Truth and love go hand in hand for believers.
unchanging truth
Are you going along in life hand in hand with someone who is not following the truth? It’s a tough question, but let’s ask it another way. Let’s say you’re currently head over heels for a cute guy at school. He seems perfect in every way—except he’s not a Christian. If truth and love must go hand in hand for believers, then what are you doing holding hands with someone who doesn’t follow the truth? Ouch! Or maybe your best friend in life, the girl you share everything with, doesn’t know and love Jesus like you do. How can you truly be best friends if you don’t share the thing that’s most important in life? Ouch again!
In this letter, John warns believers during the vulnerable early days of Christianity not to welcome false teachers who were opposing the truth and destroying their faith. Although you probably won’t face that exact situation, it’s an important principle to keep in mind. Don’t welcome into your life those who directly oppose Jesus and his Word.
It’s not that having friends who are outside the faith is wrong. How else are you going to share your faith with them if you’re not involved in their lives? It’s just that the place for our closest friends, and certainly for our love interests, should be reserved for those who follow the truth.
1. Love should be the focus of our lives—especially love toward believers (4–6).
2. Guard your heart against compromise in your life (7–11).