December 27 (Daily reading: 2, 3 John) I interpret the “lady” in 2 John, verse 1 to be a church. There are some key words here for the church. The first word is “chosen.” We, the members of the church of Jesus Christ, have been chosen. This is the same Greek word used by Peter: “You are a chosen people” (1 Pet. 2:9). Peter further identifies us as “a people for God’s own possession.” Being God’s chosen people bestows upon us “grace, mercy, and peace” (v. 3).
The second word is “truth,” which is stated five times in the first four verses. John wrote: “I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in truth” (v. 4). The church must be founded on solid doctrine based on the truth of God’s word. John first spoke of those who “know the truth” (v. 1), and here he speaks of “walking in truth.” The church must be diligent to know the truth so that she can walk in it!
Truth is tied to our next key word, “love.” “And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments” (v. 4). God’s commandment is given to us as truth, “that you are to walk in it” (v. 6). This was not a new commandment, “that we love one another” (v. 5). It was the same commandment “just as you have heard from the beginning” (v. 6). John had written in his gospel: “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (Jn. 13:34).
Our last key word, “walk,” is tied to both truth and love in the example of Gaius in 3 John, who was “walking in truth” (v. 3). He had also given testimony of his “love before the church” (v. 6). The church is chosen to walk in truth and love.
– Al Gary
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