2 John 1:4-6

The path of loving obedience. 2 John 1:4-6

(2 John 1:4) I was greatly pleased because I have found (certain) of your children walking in truth, just as we received commandment according to the Father. (2 John 1:5) And now I entreat you, Lady, not as writing you a new commandment, but (the one) which we were having from the beginning, that we should be loving one another. (2 John 1:6) And this is the love, that we should keep on walking according to His commandments.

So many false teachers were abroad that John rejoiced to find certain children of the elect lady walking according to truth. If we are correct in the conclusion that the elect lady is a local congregation or the church at large in a particular area, the children are members of the church or churches to which John wrote. It is worthy of note that, where we often refer to Christians as church members, John repeatedly refers to them as children. The New Testament church was not, fundamentally, an organization but a family. Each member was a child of the Father, and, rather esthetically, of the church.

To John the admissible evidence that we have come to know the truth is that we obey the commandments of God. (Cf. 1 John 2:3) He had learned well the lesson expressed by Jesus in the question ... why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things that I say?

Again, as in I John, we are reminded that the fundamental commandment is that we shall love one another. This is particularly urgent in the midst of such serious controversy as that occasioned by the gnostic error. There can be no healing of the breach caused by error unless those who hold fast to truth do so in love.
But love will not allow compromise! This is the love, that we keep on walking according to His commandments. While we endeavor, in love, to turn the heretic from the error of his ways, we are to continue obeying all the commands of God.

Love is the fundamental command to Christians, but it is not the only command. The commission of Jesus to the apostles is that they teach us to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:20(a)) From the beginning we have had this commandment also.