Walking in Truth

“I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.” (2 John 1:4 NKJV)

This beautiful “walking in truth” metaphor—found only in our text and 3 John 1:3-4—is a principle that must rule our daily lives. Our Savior is “the truth” (John 14:6); the very Word of God that we know is “truth” (John 17:17). Also, the Holy Spirit within us is the “Spirit of truth” (John 15:26).

The NT uses this walking metaphor when referring to other characteristics of the Christian life. We are born again through faith in Christ and testify to that by following our Lord’s example in baptism. We are then raised to “walk in newness of life” (Rom 6:4).

Since the Holy Spirit is then dwelling within us—comforting and guiding us—we are urged to “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Gal 5:16). So, what does it mean to “walk” in the Spirit?

“Enoch walked with God” is a relationship phrase meaning that Enoch was so close in his relationship with God that God was always with him.

Next, we are urged to “walk in love, as Christ also has loved us” (Eph 5:2). This is unselfish agape love, and it often takes us out of our comfort zone as we sacrifice our interests for the needs of others. Agape love is the perfect love that comes from God, and we share that feeling God has for us with our fellow man.

There are still more such exhortations. “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time” (Col 4:5). An excellent rendition of this text comes from the Amplified Bible:

“Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious]” (Col 4:5 AMP).

Furthermore, we must “walk in the light, as he is in the light” (1 John 1:7). We can summarize all of these and other similar warnings as simply following the example of Christ.

“He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6). “He that follows me,” said Jesus our Lord, “shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).