1. Walking in obedience and love (1-6)

This book is a short letter from the Apostle John to the "chosen lady", who represents the church itself. John encourages believers to keep obeying the command of Jesus. The Christian life is a "walk" of continuous practice. Jesus' command, which never changes, is to love one another (Jn 15:17). If we walk in love, we will know the truth and the truth will remain in us.

2. Watch out for deceivers (7-13)

John also warns against a specific heresy that was beginning to pop up in the church-denying that Christ came as a man in the flesh. John says that anyone who tries to deny this is a deceiver and an antichrist. To deny Jesus' humanity is to take the saving power out of the gospel. It is so serious that anyone who stands on such ideas should not be welcomed into fellowship. John also reminds us that face-to-face visits are indispensable to Christian fellowship.