II John

The following comments are from Navigator's and Quiet Time Diary journals. One verse will be entered, then the comment, then the date.

v. 4    I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father.

    One evidence of our faith is that we share and teach our faith with friends and family. If the children don't have an interest in the Lord, they probably were never taught it's importance by their parents - or they are defiant.
    Godly children generally indicate Godly parents.  (DRM 7/12/06)

v. 5    Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.

    The lady here refers to the Christian church (per Word of Life commentary), thus this seems to call for church unity. I have personally seen a few church splits and disagreements and feel that people have been too stuck in their own ways instead of willing to show love and negotiation. Originally there was only ONE Christian church, now there must be 1,000 types of Christian beliefs, which I don't agree with.  (DRM 1/7/09)

v. 6    And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.

    Love has been elusive to me. I now feel as stated here, that Love is the way Jesus feels for us, and how we feel for Him. If we walk in obedience to His ways and will, we will continue to be in His love.  (DRM 12/6/86)

v. 7    For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.

    There are different religions in the world - and I can think of some in the Far East area - that don't believe that Jesus even came to earth, as far as I know. Others will say He was a prophet. This verse clearly says they are wrong - and we (I) are to avoid them. Still, we have to present the gospel to ALL who will listen. (DRM 1/8/09)

v. 8    Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.

    This sounds like the person could lose their salvation after gaining faith, but I don't think that was intended.
    After salvation, we have a desire to learn more about the Lord, thus generally read the Bible to gain the knowledge we need. After time, this excitement generally fades and we are tempted to "backslide" and stop reading, etc.
    John, in this verse, was trying to encourage the reader to "stay the course" and continue to read the Bible - as there will be an eternal reward for those who don't lose their initial desire to study His word. (DRM 2/16/13)

v. 10     If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting;

    Here I can visualize three types of people who go from door to door explaining their faith. Two of them have a different gospel to tell you of, and the third is a true Christian believer. We need to pray for discernment as to who we (I) should listen to at all times. (DRM 7/13/06)