The Elect Lady
The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.
2 John 1–3
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The Elect Lady
John begins his second epistle to the elect lady. John is writing as a pastor to his own congregation. The Church is often described as the chosen Bride of Christ throughout holy Scriptures and here John uses the metaphor of the elect lady. So, if the church is the lady her children are the members. John writes to them and begins with the truth that they are loved. Too often members of a congregation can feel that they are overlooked or not important as other members. Here John wants to dispel this notion. He addresses them all as being loved. They were loved by John and by the One who sent John, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. John expected the congregation to listen and act on his words for the very reason they know they are loved. And this love that John writes about is shown to them in the truth that they were chosen. It was not of their own doing but that of Christ that they are saved. He chose them, He drew them to Himself, by the Holy Spirit, in the Word and Sacraments they are children of God. What John writes is true because Jesus, who is “the truth,” abides in His Church. Therefore, in your life, as children of the elect lady and brothers and sisters of Christ Jesus, the truth abides in you. God’s truth will be with you forever for Christ has promised that “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). God’s promise to always be with you and never stop loving you is always there for you.
2 John 1–3
+
The Elect Lady
John begins his second epistle to the elect lady. John is writing as a pastor to his own congregation. The Church is often described as the chosen Bride of Christ throughout holy Scriptures and here John uses the metaphor of the elect lady. So, if the church is the lady her children are the members. John writes to them and begins with the truth that they are loved. Too often members of a congregation can feel that they are overlooked or not important as other members. Here John wants to dispel this notion. He addresses them all as being loved. They were loved by John and by the One who sent John, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. John expected the congregation to listen and act on his words for the very reason they know they are loved. And this love that John writes about is shown to them in the truth that they were chosen. It was not of their own doing but that of Christ that they are saved. He chose them, He drew them to Himself, by the Holy Spirit, in the Word and Sacraments they are children of God. What John writes is true because Jesus, who is “the truth,” abides in His Church. Therefore, in your life, as children of the elect lady and brothers and sisters of Christ Jesus, the truth abides in you. God’s truth will be with you forever for Christ has promised that “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). God’s promise to always be with you and never stop loving you is always there for you.
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