October 14, 2019

BIBLE READING II JOHN

4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
6 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.
Here in this small book, we see a wonderful reminder of two Christian qualities, Truth and Love.

In this epistle, John is commending and encouraging local churches as they accommodate and help travelers and preachers. As they are helping and ministering, he encourages them to continue to walk (or practicing what they believe) in two different ways. This can easily be applied to us as well.

John was happy to hear that the church was walking in Truth. This literally means, ordering one’s life according to the Word of God. This is NOT based on popular opinion or trends, but what God wants. We have other epistles and scripture where some have been corrected by this, but here John is encouraged they are taking God’s Word and applying it.

John, also, wanted to remind them that they were to walk in Love. Obviously, we know that true love is given and is the example that was given by Christ. Walking in love is ordering one’s life by giving preference to others. This is where our truth is shown and proven. This is easier said than done, but this is thinking of others before ourselves. If we are to be a clear living example of Christ, we must walk in Love.

It is very clear that truth and love are not in opposition to one another, but that they work together.
“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” Ephesians 4:15
How does Biblical love work with truth?
Verse 6 shows us Biblical love finds its channel of expression in truth.
As we know in I Cor. 13:6, Biblical love delights itself in truth. It thrives only in it.
“Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;”
Biblical love is orthodox or sound with truth.
“Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” II Timothy 1:16
Last, Biblical love has truth to surround it.
“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;” Philippians 1:9
So today, how are we walking? To be the best example of Christ, we can take this reminder from II John and walk in truth and love.

David Fulp
Children’s Pastor