Walk in the truth. The apostle John wrote: “I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.” (2 John 1:4) A true Christian must represent Jesus Christ well. We do that by walking in God’s truth, living in obedience, and loving others. John emphasized this because of the danger false teachers present to believers. How do we remain in the truth?
Walk in the Truth by Avoiding Bad Influences
As in our day, deceivers were everywhere in the days of the apostle John, and many were very persuasive. In 2 John, he warned Christians not to fall prey to their lies. The particular lie addressed here was that Jesus did not have a human body, but no matter what the deception, it negates the need to obey God.
Deceivers come in many forms. Not long ago, I received a copy of a letter written by my great-grandmother in 1913. She wrote: “I have no doubt Christ was the best man of his day, but a man only. I hope that you who read this will be too wise to allow yourselves to be guided by old manuscripts of the Dark Ages.” Those who would deceive come in all forms, and can even be people we love and care about.
In 3 John, the apostle warned his friend, Gaius, of a man named Diotrephes. He said, “Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.” (3 John 11) Avoid those who cast doubt on the truth of the scriptures.
Walk in the Truth by Recognizing Deception
How do we know someone is a deceiver? Know the scripture. It is necessary to make certain that what you hear aligns with the Bible. Always read in context, don’t pick and choose to make it fit your situation. Enhance your understanding by studying the history of a book: when and where it was written, why, and to whom. Nothing substitutes for knowing the Word and studying it for yourself.
Paul wrote to “Test everything; hold fast to what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21) It was in Berea that Paul met the people he held as an example to the Thessalonians. He wrote: “they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (Acts 17:11)
I know of a church where the pastor uses writings of a man from the 1800s rather than the Bible, teaching that anyone who isn’t in his church is a false teacher. Revelation 22:18-19 says: “ I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”
Don’t Soften Your Beliefs
“Don’t you just want me to be happy? Can’t you just be happy for me?” These were the words of someone I love. However, loving someone does not require me to affirm their choices. Their claim that belief in the entire Bible is unnecessary because some books are outdated and some are mistranslated warned me of danger. It is never loving to leave someone ignorant of God’s absolute truth that leads to salvation. However, we can communicate the truth to them in love, trusting God to safeguard the relationship. Ephesians 6:13 tells us, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”
Jesus said He did not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets, “For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:18-19)
Don’t relax what you believe for their sake. Lay out your beliefs in a calm, loving way. Point them to the scriptures that back you up. Trust God, leave the relationship in His hands.
Walk in the Truth with Confidence
Federal agents learn to recognize counterfeit money by studying real money so that they can recognize the fake. This is a good analogy for Christians. The world is full of fakes, but there is only one truth, the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” Applying yourself to understand the truth, prepares you to recognize a counterfeit, no matter its source.
Beware of leaders who claim it is unnecessary for believers to learn to study the Bible for themselves. Run from someone who claims to have a new revelation of the truth.” Refuse to listen to anyone who attempts to create doubt about the truth of the Bible or adds man’s ideas to scripture.
John wanted believers to know and understand God’s truth and to have confidence that their salvation was secure. He made it simple. “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:11-13)
We can trust and rely on the Bible to provide us with everything essential to live with powerful confidence in God. “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence …” (2 Peter 1:3)
“It is never loving to leave someone ignorant of God’s absolute truth that leads to salvation.” Amen.
As in the early church, the greatest danger comes from within: the prosperity gospel, works-based salvation, Christian nationalism, universalism, and other heresies.
Like the federal agents who can spot counterfeit money, we have to be able to recognize and defend the real thing as defined in God’s Word. Anything else is not Christian, no matter what label you put on it.
Ah yes, the “prosperity gospel.” The danger in calling out those who live large is that most in the modern church—myself included—are prosperous relative to the rest of the world. And in the the local church (for the most part), preaching and pastoring pays well—as it should. Galatians 6:6, 1 Corinthians 9:13–14, Deuteronomy 25:4 and Luke 10:7, 1 Timothy 5:17–18. The Apostle Paul worked with his hands to avoid being a burden but he admits he was due his pay for preaching and teaching.
If we set aside what we’ve heard and think we know, and read the Gospels with fresh eyes, we see that Jesus caused all who came to Him to prosper. From His first miracle to the end, the lives of each person He touched were improved—made better, prospered. (The thief on the cross was promised paradise—a pretty good deal for a dying thief.)
The Lord warns me constantly to avoid judging others who have what I do not have—that if He’s blessed them, that is His business. Jesus said, “Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?” (Matthew 20:13–15)
It’s hard to give what we do not have. Jesus reminds us, “Freely you have received (He prospers us), freely give.” I wish above all things that we in the Church prosper and be in good health, just as our souls prosper (3 John 1:2) and give to our neighbors in need.
I’ll leave it to the Lord to determine if I’ve done the most with what He gave me.
You’re right, Steve. Live by grace(riches in Christ)—not works—and “work out” (exercise, put to work) our faith!
It’s so comforting for me to know that I have a reliable source of truth in the scripture. Thanks for a relevant reminder.