Christianity is a religion of action. We take what the Bible teaches and put it into practice in our lives. We make application to and from God’s Word in our daily lives. If we are truly living for the Lord a change in our lifestyle must be evident. Others, Christians and non-Christians alike must be able to ascertain that difference. We must be found “practicing what we preach (believe).
One of the words used for the Christian’s life is the word “walk.” Walking denotes that we are making progress. In the spiritual realm it denotes growing in Jesus. All of us grow up in Christ differently. What the Lord desires is spiritual growth.
The Apostle John writes about spiritual growth in 2 John 4-6 where he stresses “walking in Christ’s commandments.” He says that there must be evidences of our conversion that is visible to others.
John rejoiced greatly when he found some of the “Elect Lady’s” children walking in the way of truth. This shows that these folks were growing in Christ and were active in His service.
John MacArthur writes, “The word ‘walking’ has reference to continual walking in the truth, i.e., making obedience to the truth a habit in one’s life.”
The Word of God continually tells parents that it is their responsibility to teach the Bible principles to their children. It also exhorts all Christians to study and obey God’s Word and to teach others about the importance of the Scriptures.
In 2 John 5 we read John’s words of commendation to the way the Elect Lady had raised her children. She had led them in the way if truth. But they had to continue to walk in truth even when they were outside her influence.
This is the passage where John talks in verse 6 about making the Christian life a continued way of love, establishing habits that will last us eternally and enable us to live for Him in all situations we come across.
I John 5:2-3 reads as follows: “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.” So, let’s always strive to “grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus!” Let’s be found as a people who look to God’s Word for our guidance and always be living for Him!
The Products of Truth—The Products of Truth 2nd John 4-6
Verse 3: Grace, mercy, and peace are products of the truth of God and the love of God. Without the seed of truth, these blessings will never spring forth in our lives (Luke. 8:11). Please note that grace (Acts 20:24-32; Col. 1:5-6), mercy (Psa.119:165; Jonah 4:2), and peace (Eph. 6:15; 2:17) are all joined in the Scriptures with truth.
Walking in Christ’s Commandments ( 2nd John 4-6)
Verse 4: The Pathway of Truth — “I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it” (2 John 1:4-6).
John rejoiced greatly when he found some of the “Chosen” sister’s children walking in the way of truth. “Some” does not imply that others were unfaithful. John may not have had occasion to be around her other children. They may have still been at home.
John MacArthur writes, “The behavior of hospitality involves obedience to the truth (see vv. 5-6). The word ‘walking’ has reference to continual walking in the truth, i.e., making obedience to the truth a habit in one’s life.”
We get our word “eureka” from the words “rejoiced greatly.” John got excited when he saw people walking in the truth. Sadly, many people get more excited when their team wins than they do when a person is baptized or restored.
Of course, the opposite is also true. John mourned greatly when a brother left the faith.
Verse 5: John wrote to tell the Chosen lady about her children. His words are a commendation of the way that she had raised them (Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4; 2 Tim. 3:15). She had led them in the way of truth (cf. Gen. 18:19).When John told them to walk in love, he was not telling them to love everyone indiscriminately. They had to continue to walk in truth.
Jesus declared that love among believers is a primary means of their witness to the world (Jn. 13:35)
Verse 6: In the context, walking in the truth is joined with walking in love. We show our love for God by walking in the commandments, including the command to love one another. In First John, we read, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:2-
3).
Larry Miles is Co-Editor of Word & Work and attends Cherry St. Church of Christ in New Albany, IN.