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Walking in Truth - 3 John 4
Walking in Truth - 3 John 4
“I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth” (3 John 1:4).
“Walk” is a common expression in the New Testament for living and conduct*. To walk ‘in truth’ is to live in accordance with, in harmony with the truth of God’s word. John then writes about several aspects of such a walk:
Acting faithfully (vs. 5). Faith is not just the belief of a truth, but calls for us to BE FAITHFUL to what has been revealed. God is faithful, we are to be faithful to Him.
Loving brethren (vs. 6). 2nd greatest commandment, love your ‘neighbor’. ‘New commandment’: love one another AS (in the same manner, to the same degree) Jesus loves us. Love the brethren:
Conduct in a manner worthy of God (vs. 6). We are lights to the world, so that they will glorify God. In all of our conduct, God is to be glorified. We are to be careful in how we live so that we do not bring a reproach upon God whom we serve.
NOT doing evil, but good (vs. 11). God’s people are good. We are to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil (Rom. 16:19). We are to be rich in good works (1Tim. 6:18). We have been created for good works (Eph. 2:10). We are to cling to what is good (Rom. 12:9). Thus we overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:21).
Are you walking in Truth?
Hugh DeLong
*Walk used as lifestyle, conduct, manner of living:
· Luke 1:6 – walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.
· John 8:12 – walking in darkness
· Acts 21:21 – walking according to ‘the customs’ –
· Romans 6:4 – walk in newness of life
· Rom. 8:4 – walk according to the flesh OR Spirit
· Rom. 14:15 – walk according to love
· 1Cor. 3:3 – walk as mere men (not rely upon God’s word)
· 2Cor. 4:2 – NOT walk in craftiness
· 2Cor. 5:7 – we walk by faith, not by sight
· 2Cor. 10:2-3 – walk according to the flesh – though we ‘walk in the flesh’ –
· Gal. 5:16 – walk by the spirit –
· Gal. 5:25 – walk by the Spirit
· Gal. 6:16 – walk by this rule.. (see vs. 15)
· Eph. 2:2 – formerly walked according to the course of this world –
· Eph. 2:10 – walk in good works
· Eph. 4:1 – walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called
· Eph. 4:17 – NOT walk as the ‘Gentiles’ walk
· Eph. 5:2 – we walk in love
· Eph. 5:8 – we walk as children of light
· Eph. 5:15 – be careful how you walk
· Phil. 3:17 – walk according to the pattern you have in the apostles
· Phil. 3:18 – MANY walk … as enemies of the cross
· Col. 1:10 - walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him
· Col. 2:6 – as you have received Christ, so walk in Him
· Col. 3:7 – NOT walk as we once walked… (in sin)
· 1Thess. 2:12 – walk in a manner worthy of God
· 1Thess. 4:1 – instructed on how we ought to walk and please God.
· 1John 1:6 – NOT to walk in darkness –
· 1John 1:7 – walk in light –
· 1John 2:6 – walk even as Jesus walked
· 1John 2:11 – NOT walk in darkness
· 2John 4 – walking in truth
· 2John 6 – walk according to His commandments
