Journey Through The Bible
  Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 1-4
  New Testament Reading: 2 John

I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, in keeping with a command we have received from the Father. So now I ask you, dear lady—not as if I were writing you a new command, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. This is love: that we walk according to his commands. This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: that you walk in love (2 John 4-6).

The second letter of the Apostle John is the shortest book in the Bible. Not only is it just one chapter long, at 13 verses it is one of the shortest chapters in the Bible as well. In fact, it is so short that you can hardly call it a letter, it’s more of a postcard. Unfortunately, because of its brevity, it is an often overlook book in the Bible, and is seldom the source of sermons and Bible Studies.  

That is unfortunate because despite its briefness, 2^nd John contains a powerful message that is as relevant today as it was when John first penned the words. John writes of the Christian life being one of a balancing act between two fundamental truths that are both taught throughout Scripture, though seldom presented together as succinctly as 2 John.

John writes Christians should walk in truth. That is the truth of God’s word. It is not enough to know the truth, but we are to walk in it. We need to read and study the Bible so that we know and understand God’s Word. Then we need to apply it to our lives so that our actions follow our understanding. James tells us:

But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror. For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does. (James 1: 22-25)

John says we need to use discernment because many deceivers have gone out into the world v7. A great source of wisdom comes from listening to pastors and Bible teachers. But in listening to them, we also need to do our own study of Scripture to make certain what they teach is the truth. We need to be like the Bereans who were of more noble character because they examined the Scriptures daily to verify what Paul preached was true (Acts 17:10-12).

John, however, warns his reads that our ‘Walk in the Truth’ must also be in keeping with a command we have received from the Father. And what is that command? John tells us plainly: This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: that you walk in love.

That is the crux of John’s message. That as Christian we need to keep a balance between walking in truth and walking in love. How often today do we see Christians so focused on God’s truth that they become intolerant of anyone who disagrees with them. On the other hand, we also see Christians so focused on love that they open themselves to every wind of doctrine.

The Apostle Peter commands us to be ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. (1 Peter 3:15-16)

As Christians, we need to do both. We need to know and apply God’s truth to our lives so that we are ready to make a defense of that truth—we need to Walk in Truth. And we need to do so in love, with gentleness and reverence—we need to Walk in Love!