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The apostle John addresses his letter in coded language. He does not introduce himself, nor does he mention the location of the church to which he’s writing. John emphasizes truth and love in his opening address, because these are the main concerns of this brief epistle.
John affirms that some believers are walking in the truth by loving one another, while others are apparently in need of reminder: God calls us to love one another. It is not a new commandment that they don’t know. It is a fundamental aspect of walking with God that all believers should practice for the benefit of themselves and others.
There are liars in the church who teach that Jesus was not both man and God, but merely had the appearance of being a man. John warns his readers to guard themselves against this false teaching, for if they fail to abide in Jesus’ teaching, they will miss out on the future rewards that can only be earned through faithful obedience. He adds that the believers should turn false teachers away from their church and not pretend to be friendly with them, otherwise they’re condoning their deception.
John has more to say, but concerning things he doesn’t want to put down on paper. He intends to visit this undisclosed church and bring it back to the full joy God has to offer.
This letter is attributed to the Apostle John. He speaks not from the authority of an apostle who has seen the risen Lord, as would be his right. Rather he speaks from the position of being an elder of the church. He sends this letter ahead, expecting to be there in person soon. However, John has urgency to exhort the church to whom he writes to avoid listening to a particular group of false teachers, who are apparently deceiving, and leading people away from obeying Jesus' command to love one another. If they allow themselves to be deceived, it could result in them losing a portion of their reward at the judgement seat of Christ. John does not desire that. Rather, he desires that their joy be made full, and they receive rewards that endure forever.
That John sensed such urgency to warn this flock of believers to avoid falling into deception, so that they receive a full reward, demonstrates the extreme high importance John placed on living effectively in order to gain rewards in the judgement. He will condense the teaching from John 15, his own gospel about the ministry of Jesus, which shows the importance of abiding in the vine that is Christ by obeying His commands. John will emphasize most particularly the command to love one another.
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