Walking in His Truth {2 John}
12:00 AM
Walking in His Truth {2 John}
Monday, Nov. 27
In this second epistle by John, he writes to, “the chosen lady and her children”. Some argue that this woman was not an actual person, but rather the church as a whole and her members. But whether John’s letter was written for one or for all, it is a wonderful reminder of the importance of loving one another, discernment in regards to false teachers, and walking in the truth.
John begins by expressing his love, and the love of all fellow believers in God’s truth. “The Elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth, for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever.” (vs. 1-2) In an undependable world, the one thing we can always depend on is God and His promises. For His truth is everlasting, and His Word eternal. It will never forsake us, never abandon us, and as told in Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
In this chapter the truth John speaks of is Christ Jesus. The truth that He is the Son of God, the promised Messiah, and Redeemer of the world. When we receive Jesus as our Savior, His truth lives in us through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is described in many ways including a “Spirit of help”, (John 14:16), and a “Spirit of truth”. (John 16:13) The Spirit helps us to walk in God’s truth and to obey His commands. Especially God’s greatest commandments; to love Him and to love others as we love ourselves.
"And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments.” (vs. 6) Jesus says in John 14:23, “If anyone loves Me, He will keep My Word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” Real love walks in obedience. Even when it’s hard or inconvenient. And by loving and obeying God’s commands, our intimacy with Him deepens, He is able to work through us, and our faith is strengthened.
John goes on to tell us that God’s truth is our best defense against false teachers. In John’s time “deceivers” where spreading false doctrine, and refusing to acknowledge that Jesus came as God in the flesh, rejecting the truth of the Bible. Such “deceivers” are still prevalent today. We are warned that when these wolves come knocking on our door we are to turn them away. “do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in His evil deeds.” (v. 10-11) I love the saying, “We are defined by what we reject much as by what we accept.” Knowing God’s Word gives us the discernment we need to say yes to what we should, and to reject what should be rejected.
God wants nothing more than to bless us beyond our wildest imagination. He delights in joyful obedience, and wants each of us to receive our “full reward”. His love is unconditional, and as His children with His love living inside of us we should practice the same. Obeying His commandments and walking in His truth keeps our feet on a straight path to success. “Keep the charge of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, .....that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn.” (1 Kings 2:3)
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