Walking In Truth And Love

Introduction

Truth and love are frequently discussed in our world but seldom practised. People conveniently ignore or conceal facts and use words to enhance positions or sell products. Perjury is common, while integrity and credibility are endangered species.

Words, twisted in meaning and torn from context, have become mere tools for ego building. It is not surprising that we have to "swear" to tell the truth. And what about love?

Our world is filled with its words: greeting cards, music, romantic novels. Real love, however, is scarce. We seldom see selfless giving, caring, and sharing. We yearn to love and be loved, but we see few living examples of genuine love.

In his greeting to the elect lady and her children, John wrote that the grace, mercy, and love which proceeds from the Father and the Son is in the sphere of truth and love (2 John 3).

In verses 4–6, he expands upon the theme of truth and love, doing so in the form of a commendation for walking in truth and an exhortation to love one another.

In this Bible study, we want to examine this commendation and exhortation, seeking to glean whatever principles or lessons that we can from this passage.

John's Commendation For Walking In Truth (v.4)

“I rejoiced greatly...”

Either by visiting or by receiving a report from others, John came to know that some of the elect lady's children were walking in the truth.

This was a source of great joy to John, just as it was when he heard the same thing about Gaius (3 John 3).

As expressed to Gaius, there was no greater joy than hearing about others walking in truth (3 John 4).

What about the joy of hearing someone obeying the gospel?

As great as that might be, there is always the possibility that one will not carry through with their initial obedience to Christ.

That realization can temper one's joy. But when time reveals that the person continues to walk in truth, that removes the question of whether one will remain faithful.

Thus, a great source of joy in the Christian faith can be found in the follow-up of new converts, as well as in the evangelization of the lost.

"...I Have Found Some Of Your Children..." (v.4)

Unfortunately, John could not say all, but only some.

This reminds us that even the best of parents may have erring children, despite the fact that this mother was so special she was called the elect lady.

Like Samuel, the prophet of God, she had some children who were not faithful to the Lord (1 Samuel 8:1–3).

Whose fault is this?

Some might say that in view of Proverbs 22:6, an erring child is always the parent's fault. However, such a view suggests environmental predestination.

If parents provide the proper environment, then the child would have no choice but to turn out a certain way. Such a belief removes personal responsibility from the child and places all blame upon the parents.

While parents bear responsibility when they fail to restrain sin, the ultimate responsibility belongs to the child (1 Samuel 3:11–13; Ezekiel 18:20).

The fact remains that despite the best parenting, some children simply choose to rebel against God.

"...Walking In Truth, As We Have Received Commandment From The Father" (v.4b)

This expresses the idea of living in harmony with the truth found in God's Word.

Everything one does demonstrates a life governed by God's commandments.

That is what it means to truly love God (1 John 5:3; John 14:15; John 15:14).

With great joy in his heart, John commends the elect lady and her children for their walking in the truth.

But an emphasis on truth without an equal emphasis on love can easily develop a harsh, impatient, and insensitive disposition toward others.

John's Exhortation To Love One Another (v.5–6)

“And now I plead with you, Lady...”

The tone of John's entreaty suggests the seriousness of this exhortation.

Certainly John stressed in his first epistle the importance of loving one another (1 John 2:10; 3:14; 4:20–21).

Therefore, this is a commandment not to be taken lightly.

"Not As Though I Wrote A New Commandment..."

The commandment is not a new one.

It did not originate from John.

It was one his readers had known from the beginning of their Christian experience (1 John 2:7; 3:11).

It is the commandment given by Jesus Himself (John 13:34–35; John 15:17).

"That We Love One Another"

The commandment given by Jesus is to love one another according to the standard established by Christ:

“As I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
— John 13:34

"This Is Love, That We Walk According To His Commandments" (v.6a)

Here we learn what best demonstrates that we truly love one another.

We can claim brotherly love all day long, but unless we are walking according to God's commandments, our claim is meaningless.

"This Is The Commandment... You Should Walk In It" (v.6b)

This statement reinforces what John has been saying.

The command to love is one we have had from the beginning of our Christian life.

We should therefore keep this command by walking in love.

Such repetition is often necessary because there is always a tendency to hear and not obey.