2 John 1:4-6

I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.  And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another.  And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 

There are some basic principles that every believer should understand about how we are expected to live.  Both Paul and John use the image of walking to describe our life in Christ.  It is not a sprint that can be achieved in a short period of time.  Rather, it is a life-long pursuit that will mark our lives day after day.

WALK IN TRUTH: It is certainly a reason for great rejoicing to see fellow believers walking in the truth.  We live in a world where the father of lies, Satan, has been striving to deceive and destroy people in general but especially believers.  There are many false teachers who try to undermine the truth of the Gospel and seek to lead believers astray.  Our calling is to stay true to the Word of God and walk in the truth.  God has established truth, and we are to conform our lives to it.

WALK IN LOVE: The commandment of God for all believers is that we love one another.  This has been the theme of John’s teaching in his first epistle, and it was also one of the major themes in the teachings of Jesus.  When a group of people from diverse backgrounds come together in love and unity it brings glory to God and highlights the power of the Gospel.  People naturally take care of themselves, but believers are called to give primary consideration to one another.

WALK IN OBEDIENCE: God calls us to demonstrate our love for Him by being obedient to His commandments.  This certainly includes His commandment that we love one another.  As we walk in truth and love, we will also be walking in obedience.  These are not three different walks we are to embark upon.  Rather, it is one walk that is to describe the life of those who truly believe.

APPLICATION: Beware of false teachers and study God’s Word intensely so we might know and walk in truth.  Love our brothers and sisters in Christ by caring for one another’s needs and being hospitable.  Grow in our understanding of and obedience to God’s Word.

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