WALKING THE WALK

OUR DISTINCT WALKS - Have you ever been able to recognize who someone from a distance by the way they walked? Some people have a distinct gait or stride or step in the way they walk. (Or pride ha, you know what I mean, or limp even...)

OPENER: OUR DISTINCT WALKS - Have you ever been able to recognize who someone from a distance by the way they walked? Some people have a distinct gait or stride or step in the way they walk. (Or pride ha, you know what I mean, or limp even...)

Ø Have you ever been able to recognize who someone from a distance by the way they walked? Some people have a distinct gait or stride or step in the way they walk. (Or pride ha, or limp)

(Have you ever done this? Some time back I was in a store and I saw someone that from behind that looked a lot like someone I knew. But as I watched them walk I knew it wasn’t them. The person I know has an annoying walk...and when they turned around it wasn’t. )

It turns out the way we walk is unique to us. Scientists have been studying this for years actually. If you research it you will find some interesting stuff. For example: THERE IS NOW WHAT IS CALLED GAIT RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY. (G-A-I-T)

(ABC NEWS REPORTED: “according to scientists, one day it may be possible to recognize anyone by the way they walk, or their gait. Several universities have been working with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to develop gait recognition as another viable bio metric tool. (So like facial recognition, JUST GOOGLE GAIT RECOGNITION TECH)

“It's hoped that if gaits are as unique as say voice patterns or fingerprints, advanced surveillance systems could identify and track people by the way they walk through sensitive areas such as airports or around government buildings.”

“When a person walks, body parts — the legs, knee joints, arms, elbows, and so on — create a particular [UNIQUE] repeating pattern as they each move through space.” (Each is unique…)

Chinese authorities are already using this technology to identify people on when their faces are hidden. (Can you imagine being arrested because of how you walk…Ha!)

YOU HAVE GUESSED AS TO WHERE THIS IS GOING: GOD REFERS TO OUR LIVES AS A WALK!

OUR WALK (LIVES) SHOULD BE DISTINCT! For the Christian the way that we walk (or live our lives) should be distinct from the world and recognizably different.

Not our gait or stride physically but our spiritual walk with Christ that influences the way we live every day. As we live everyday moment by moment, step by step, action by action, decision by decision according to the truth we walk with God and different than the world.

CAN PEOPLE SEE A DIFFERENCE IN HOW YOU WALK? Let’s consider this more...

WALKING IS A METAPHOR GOD USED FIRST TO DESCRIBE DAILY LIFE! IT IS A GOOD METAPHOR: Of course it is a good metaphor for life because God came up with it. SO YOU BETTER LIKE IT! HA! Let us look at a few examples:

IT IS A GOOD METAPHOR: Of course it is a good metaphor for life because God came up with it and uses it throughout scripture. Let us look at a few examples:

2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV

for we walk by faith, not by sight.

“We walk by faith, not by sight”

3 John 4 ESV

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

§

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (In other words living by God’s truth)

WALK IS A METAPHOR THROUGHOUT SCRIPTURE: This metaphor is not just in a few places it is throughout scripture. (It makes you consider that in creating us to to walk physically if He all along intended on getting us to understand our daily actions)

There are many metaphors scripture uses for life but one of the best ones in my opinion is that of a walk.

God uses this metaphor throughout the bible from Genesis all the way to 2 John where we are going to be today.

Ø The life of a follower of Christ is called a number of things in scripture one of the best of which is a “walk.” John referred to it as a “walk” multiple times. In first, second and third John the Christian’s life is talked about as a “walk.”

IN THE NT! The life of a follower of Christ is called a number of things in scripture one of the best of which is a “walk.” John referred to it as a “walk” multiple times. In first, second and third John the Christian’s life is talked about as a “walk.”

Think about why walking is such a good metaphor for life...

WALKING IS ONE OF THE BEST METAPHORS Walking is a very good metaphor for life, THINK ABOUT IT: WALKING IS...

oWalking is a very good metaphor for life because of how it symbolizes:

A daily activity we do: how many days do you go through without walking? (Unless you are unable) It is a metaphor for life (or what we do) that is lived one day at a time.

It is a metaphor for life that is lived one day at a time.

A progressive activity: (unless you are on a treadmill) you are supposed to be going somewhere and getting further and further in your faith and growing into Christ’s image. As we walk with Christ daily we are growing more like Him.

§ A progressive thing: you are supposed to be going somewhere and getting further and further in your faith and growing into Christ’s image.

As we walk with Christ daily we are growing more like Him.

· As we walk with Christ daily we are growing more like Him.

A relational activity: (many times) we are walking with Christ (not at a distance, but with Christ in a close relationship.) How many of you would rather walk with someone that walk alone? (Even if you like physically alone, we do not want to live lonely) Christ has promised to walk with us every step of the way.

§ A relational thing: we are walking with Christ (not at a distance, but with Christ in a close relationship…)

· Physically if you are walking together you are going in the same direction and to the same location.

· Spiritually and in beliefs we are walking together with each other and with our Lord in the direction of heaven. As the family of God we are doing life together strengthening each other, encouraging each other, pushing one another..

GOD’S METAPHOR FOR (not only how we live daily) OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. (Which by the way are interconnected, we live how we do because of or out of our relationship with Him, but more on that next week.)

§ “We walk by faith, not by sight”

§ “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (In other words living by God’s truth)

This is GOD’S METAPHOR FOR (not only how we live daily) OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. (Which by the way are interconnected, we live how we do because of or out of our relationship with Him, but more on that next week.)

says “Noah walked with God” and 5:24 “Enoch walked with God and he was no more because God took Him.”

Genesis 6:9 ESV

These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.

Genesis 5:4 ESV

The days of Adam after he fathered Seth were 800 years; and he had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:24 ESV

Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.

gen

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God”

Micah 6:8 ESV

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God”

These verses show that God intends for us to live daily (walk) out of our relationship with HIM that is consistent and close and continual. It is something that requires us to keep in step with Christ.

We know what it is like to walk with someone who is not in step with us. When was the last time you walked with someone who walked either slower or faster than you? (Those who are married probably know what I’m talking about.) What do we usually say? If they are faster we say (slow down), if they are slower we say what? (keep up.)

We can’t do this with the Christ. We must keep in step with Him. commands us to “keep in step with the Spirit.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO WALK WITH CHRIST: So, what does it really mean to walk with Christ as His disciple? What does it really mean to “walk the walk?” (that is what this short series of lessons is going to answer, at least in part, from the book of 2 John.

2 John gives part of the answer in this very short (one of the shortest) letters in scripture but still very life changing if followed.

John knew a little something about walking with Jesus because he himself literally walked with Jesus during His ministry. But even after Jesus ascension John continued as Christ’s disciple in a close relationship with Him.

o In 2 John, 3 things are mentioned in direct reference to “walking” as a Christian; (1) Walking in truth [v4] (2) walking in love [v6] and (3) walking in obedience [v6] to God.

In 2 JOHN, 3 THINGS are mentioned in direct reference to “walking” as a Christian; (1) Walking in truth [v4] (2) walking in love [v6] and (3) walking in obedience [v6] to God.

Today we are going to look at one the first one of the these three things (truth) and next weeks the other two. (Love and obedience) and in the light (as Wesley is going to cover next week.) (AS WE MOVE TO 2 JOHN…)

NOTICE THE PREVALENCE OF THESE THINGS:

Notice how many times these things are mentioned in this short book: truth is mentioned 5x, love 3x, and obedience is mentioned or implied multiple times. That is not just a boring preacher stat to throw in for the fun of it or to kill time.

When you are studying a passage the words that continue to pop up signal the main ideas, themes or points to focus on.

§ So these three concepts of walking in truth, love and obedience are the things that I want to focus today and next week. The first one we might notice is truth.

. The first one we might notice is truth.

Let’s read the first few verses and notice the emphasis on truth…(count with me)

2 John 1–4 ESV

The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love. I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.

“The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love. I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.”

“The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love. I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.”

So five times truth is mentioned. Look at what God attaches to it…eternity and great rejoicing that they were living by the truth...so…why so important?

WALKING WITH CHRIST MEANS WALKING IN TRUTH

WALKING IN THE TRUTH EQUALS FOLLOWING CHRIST: Why does he rejoice greatly that they are walking (living) in or by the truth? Why such an emphasis on the truth? What is the big deal?

Because “walking in the truth” was equivalent to following Christ and His teachings. Listen to what Jesus says to Pilot when He is examining him…

John 18:37–38 ESV

Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him.

“Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

So notice a few things: (1) Jesus is the source of truth and everyone who is of the truth or believes and lives by the truth (that Jesus was from God and his teachings are truth) listens to Him (2) Pilot’s comment “what is truth” reflected his lack of understanding of and possibly a belief that truth could not be found or at least was not solid.

WHY IS IT HARD TO KNOW WHAT TRUTH IS? There are so many voices and many of them are saying they are speaking truth or they are saying that truth is changeable.

In 2017 the term “fake news” became a well known phrase. “Fake news” is made up stories or news that becomes popular for the purpose o deceiving for political or other purposes...news is inherently supposed to be just the facts…)

Popular phrase for some is you speak “your truth,” which has come to have different meanings…“but what we really need to do more than anything is speak God’s truth because He is the real source of truth not you or me.”

If we are going to walk in the truth we need to know where it comes from.

So John rejoiced that they were walking in the truth because that meant they were following Jesus (because He was the source of truth) which meant that they were saved. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me.”

This is a huge thing because there are so many things that keep a person from “walking in the truth.” For example:

Pilot has the truth standing right in front of Him and Jesus tells Him that but Pilot is not interested in knowing…He doesn’t understand where it comes from.

Many people today do not know where it comes from either or that the truth somehow shape shifts and changes according to the situation and person.

Another reason is what John writes in this book that we find in about many deceivers going out. So the importance of truth cannot be overdone…

2 John 7 ESV

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.

TO WALK IN THE TRUTH YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHAT IT IS (AND WHAT IT IS NOT)

To WALK IN TRUTH you have to know what truth is and where to find it. The reason that this lesson and principle is so important is that today in our culture many people do not know how to do this. Today many are just as confused about what truth as Pilot was.

Those who are confused about the truth include those who are religious and believe in the Bible is truth. (We need to be careful we are walking in or living by, making our decisions by, filtering everything we believe about life through God’s word.)

We can be deceived on any level of information or topics is seems. For example…

We have difficulty differentiating between truth and things that sound like truth or even feel like they should be true. (OR THINGS THAT ARE A PART OF SCRIPTURE…)

Unfortunately we are not always aware of what we are factoring in to decide (whether consciously or not) whether something is true or not. (For example: If we trust someone completely we usually do not question what they tell us. We can also do this with other sources that we shouldn’t). (YOU AND ME COULD BE MISTAKEN…)

WE CAN WALK IN LIES JUST AS WE CAN WALK IN THE TRUTH

IT MAY NOT BE THAT WE QUESTION GOD’S EXISTENCE OR CHRIST’S RESURRECTION but we might be walking in lies (rather than truth) that are much more subtle.

We may be walking or living in lies like:

GOD WILL NOT FORGIVE YOU (EITHER BECAUSE WHAT YOU DID WAS TOO BAD OR) UNTIL YOU DO ENOUGH GOOD THINGS TO BECOME A BETTER PERSON TO DESERVE

I am not forgiven, God will not love me unless...

THIS KEEPS US LOCKED UP IN A CYCLE OF SHAME WHERE WE DO FEEL LOVED BY GOD OR WORTHY OF LOVE. Or trying to earn His love/acceptance…or not being sure of your salvation.

I am not forgiven, God will not love me unless...

WHEN WE WALK IN THE TRUTH THAT “when we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us of ALL unrighteousness.” We can live in an appreciation of His grace and through that grace learn to “renounce unrighteousness and live self controlled, upright and godly lives” as .

We can walk in the truth that “we know we have eternal life” as says and rejoice constantly in that and live for Christ out of deep love and appreciation for His grace.

IMPOSTER SYNDROME: You may be living in the lie that you are AN IMPOSTER OR INFERIOR TO OTHERS. The psychological term is imposter syndrome. When you walk in this lie you question constantly your abilities and accomplishments and fear you will be exposed as a fraud even though your talents and abilities are real.

Where does this message come from? Not from God or truth. says, “for God gave us not a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control.”

(WHEN WE WALK IN THE TRUTH THAT GOD HAS GIVEN EACH OF US TALENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES AND HELPS US WE CAN CONFIDENTLY WALK IN AND WORK…)

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

YOU ARE NOT ENOUGH: You are not good enough or of value because of what you lack or who you are. (You think, “I’m not smart enough, good looking enough, thin enough, successful enough, confident enough, or whatever.) You live those lies out. (Like when you make a mistake as a parent and think to yourself “I’m a horrible parent” if you think that enough you will believe it. You not, parenting is hard.)

You walk in the lie and either you have to constantly try harder and harder to come close to measuring up (but never feel like you do) or do not live in faith because your perceived inadequacies outweigh or overshadow what God can do and do not try.

So you may think “I am not good enough or valuable unless: (I have the approval of certain people who validate my worth, or unless I accomplish so much, do more good, read and pray more, etc...)

For example: I am not good enough or valuable unless: (I have the approval of certain people who validate my worth.) (Example…)

When you walk in this lie everything you do is to colored by the fact that you do not think you are worthy. So you reach for your value through other things, looking good, making money, getting good grades, being appreciated or accomplishments.

When you walk in this lie everything you do is to colored by the fact that you do not think you are worthy.

(I am not valuable unless I look a certain way…) (example)

I am not valuable unless I accomplish…or I make enough, or do enough…or impress enough. Or at least make people think that I have a certain life and get enough likes on my posts on instagram, etc.

I am not valuable unless I accomplish…or I make enough, or do enough…or impress enough. Or at least make people think that I have a certain life and get enough likes on my posts on instagram.

YOU ARE VALUABLE BECAUSE YOU ARE MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD. YOU ARE PRICELESS BECAUSE GOD SENT HIS PRICELESS SON TO DIE ON THE CROSS BEFORE YOU! He showed His love for us by sending Christ!

YOU ARE VALUABLE BECAUSE YOU ARE MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD. YOU ARE PRICELESS BECAUSE GOD SENT HIS PRICELESS SON TO DIE ON THE CROSS BEFORE YOU

PERSONAL CONTROL LEADS TO SAFETY: We may walk in the lie that we can feel safe when we have enough control over our circumstances. The more we can have control and have the right circumstances we can not worry.

(Walking in this lie leads us worry about everything that we cannot control and LIVE IN FEAR OF WHAT COULD OR HAS GONE WRONG. When we are supposed to be people who have peace in Christ yet we are just as…as everyone else.)

(God did not give us a Spirit of fear…God is in control) (we do not need to walk in fear and worry. JESUS SAID “DO NOT WORRY,” “DO NOT BE ANXIOUS” in , why? ULTIMATELY BECAUSE GOD IS IN CONTROL AND WE CAN TRUST HIM!

If we will walk in the truth we must learn that...

JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING SOUNDS TRUE AND EVEN FEELS TRUE DOES NOT MAKE IT THAT WAY. (I do not feel forgiven or like God loves me or like I matter…)

IT CAN BE EASY TO BELIEVE THE THOUGHT THAT YOU ARE A FAILURE IF YOU HAVE JUST MADE A BIG MISTAKE AND YOU FEEL HORRIBLE ABOUT IT. You start thinking of your past mistakes as well and you have evidence and emotionally you feel it. But...

Satan has been telling “fake truths” since the garden. Jesus called him the “father of lies.” So you cannot believe anything you hear or read religiously.

§ On many levels, including spiritual it is difficult to know what truth is. When you do not know the standard you end up like Pilot saying, “What is truth?”

On many levels, including spiritual it is difficult to know what truth is. When you do not know the standard you end up like Pilot saying, “What is truth?”

We should always be asking the question “Is this truth or is this from the enemy?” Are the things that I am telling myself (mentally) actually based on God’s truth? WE NEED TO ASK WHERE IS IT COMING FROM?

§ For example: The most foundational truth: that Jesus is Lord and the ONLY way to salvation is not accepted by everyone who claims to follow Him.

For example: The most foundational truth: that Jesus is Lord and the ONLY way to salvation is not accepted by everyone who claims to follow Him.

Today we do not even know how to communicate truth based on evidence or a trusted standard. We can make the mistake of accepting something that is presented and put it on the same level as absolute truth. SO BEFORE DISCUSSING...

o Today we do not even know how to communicate truth based on evidence or a trusted standard. We can make the mistake of accepting something that is presented and put it on the same level as absolute truth. SO BEFORE DISCUSSING WHERE…`

WHERE TRUTH DOES NOT COME FROM:

WHERE TRUTH DOES NOT COME FROM:

Opinion: Something that we are very good at doing is sharing our opinions.

Q: How many of you know someone who is really good at sharing their opinion? (DO not look at your spouse, I just made you look and got you in trouble, HA!)

With the advent of social media now everyone can share their opinion (whether valid or not, ridiculous or not, vile or not) on a widespread scale. And EEEEVERRYYYBODY believes that their opinion is truth!

Sharing your opinion is a great freedom but your opinion means nothing if it does not come from truth. Yet many share their opinions as if they are the standard…many millions of posts would be eliminated if the unsubstantiated post that lack evidence or value were not done. (Don’t you wish their was a fact filter on social media…)

If you are a follower of Christ basing decisions, beliefs and actions on a strongly held opinion (no matter how well stated) is dangerous.

§ If you are a follower of Christ basing decisions, beliefs and actions on a strongly held opinion (no matter how well stated) is dangerous.

Good sounding arguments: It is very tempting to equate a well articulated argument with truth. We must be careful because scripture warns us of this:

Colossians 2:4 ESV

I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.

“I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.”

If fact Satan’s argument/lie to Eve was a good sounding argument. It seemed to explain God’s reason for…and redefined intentions…

If you base your life decisions on what sounds good and equate that with truth you will make the same mistake Eve did. (Often the arguments that sound the best to us are the one’s that match up with our feeling.)

Emotionally charged pleas of the majority: this one is difficult because it seems that so many people couldn’t possibly be wrong. “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil.”

Proverbs 4:14 ESV

Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil.

Think of the times the majority was walking down the wrong path: (1) Before the flood, the majority of the world () (2) The majority of Sodom and Gomorrah () (3) The majority of first Generation of Israel didn’t make it…(4) if you followed the majority when Jesus was crucified…(5) Jesus said “only few find it”

Think about some of the most widely held beliefs that are complete garbage: millions of people believe that we evolved from nothing despite how incompatible this is with science, etc...

Now the harder one...

Beliefs held by those we love or relate to: so someone we love who is a wonderful person believes it so that is a good enough.

This is tempting but not a standard...again based on what standard or evidence? Did we find the belief in God’s word?

But remember that even Jesus brothers did not believe at first in Jesus including James

The popular beliefs of our parents or our peers: (older people…young people today…younger people…old fashion older people…)

Even Jesus said that what He said came from the Father. notice...

John 12:49 ESV

For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.

Trans: Now a really, really important one for us as believers of the Bible...

BELIEFS BASED LOOSELY ON SCRIPTURE OR A PART OF SCRIPTURE:

This is the most dangerous one of all because we may think we believe something from God’s standard when it is something that is only made from part of scripture.

We must remember that Satan used scripture out of the context of the whole of scripture to tempt Jesus. Jesus said, “Man must not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Matthew 4:4 ESV

But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

WHAT SATAN DOES NEXT IS VERY IMPORTANT. HE USES A SCRIPTURAL TRUTH TO TEMPT JESUS.

Matthew 4:6 ESV

and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ”

Was this verse true? Yes, but Satan was using it to tempt Jesus to go against another scripture. (Tempting His pride, trust in God…) Watch what Jesus says:

Matthew 4:7 ESV

Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”

Mt

Some versions say “It is also written.” You have to consider scripture in the context of scripture. If your application of one passage leads you to go against another scripture you are not walking in the truth!

THIS IS SUCH A HUGE POINT THAT WE DESPERATELY NEED TO LEARN: WE MUST UNDERSTAND TRUTH IN LIGHT OF ALL OF SCRIPTURE NOT JUST A PIECE OF IT.

For example: The Bible says “don’t judge” anyone (which without considering any other passage is taken as you cannot judge anyone’s behavior)…and I have heard so many people talk about an action that is plainly wrong in scripture and then say something like but the Bible says do not judge. When Jesus in one of the very same verses says “do not judge by appearances but judge with right judgments.”

Notice what Jesus says in reply to Satan’s second temptation in .

What YOU FEEL OR WHAT makes you happy (Translation: whatever you want to believe)

This is the one that so many believe and is most tempted to go by. You see the kings in the Old Testament believing the false prophets because they knew to say what the king wanted to hear.

We are drawn to believe what we already lean towards or is closest to what brings us ease, pleasure or advantage. .

Trans: So again, to walk in truth you must know what the truth is and where to find it. If you are following Jesus then what does he say?

Most dangerous: What we find ourselves in today is a place where people beliefs are a conglomeration of some bible, religious traditions, culture, personal beliefs and bias.

Truth comes from God, His Son and His Word. This is what scriptures have always told us.

Jesus prayed for us and asked the Father “Sanctify them in the truth” Sanctify them or set them apart (as at the beginning of the lesson) make us different unique in our walk. Different than the world…then Jesus says, “Your Word is truth.”

“The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”

Psalm 119:160 ESV

The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

Psalm 18:30 ESV

This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

1 John 5:6 ESV

This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.

says “the (Holy) Spirit is truth.” Jesus said: “I am the truth” in

This is basic to us and something that we believe but many in our world do not and many in the church know it but do not walk in it.

Our children need to know it. God has left us a guidebook for life that we can go to no matter where we are in life and what we have heard or are confused about or wondering about.

o They will go off to college perhaps and that foundational truth will be challenged…that is no coincidence.

But as long as they know where the truth comes from they can know how to not be deceived by culture or false teachers or temptations.

WHEN WE KNOW THE TRUTH WE CAN DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN WHAT IS POPULAR BELIEF AND REAL TRUTH FROM GOD’S WORD. Consider some popular beliefs vs biblical truths:

What John was trying to guard against during the time 2 John was originally written was that Jesus did not really come in the flesh. Notice again, verse seven of our text:

2 John 7 ESV

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.

Now think about how this goes directly against a fundamental and essential fact of the gospel. Because it undermines the very sacrifice that Jesus made to save us. If Jesus really didn’t come in the flesh then He did not really die a brutal physical death on a cross and therefore is not a propitiation for our sins. Gospels say Jesus was born of a virgin, ate, slept, suffered and died and was resurrected.

§ Now think about how this goes directly against a fundamental and essential fact of the gospel. You might say “how so?” Because it undermines the very sacrifice that Jesus made to save us. If Jesus really didn’t come in the flesh then He did not really die a brutal physical death on a cross and therefore is not a propitiation for our sins. Gospels say Jesus was born of a virgin, ate, slept, suffered and died and was resurrected.

All of this because some could not understand how Jesus could be…both.

POPULAR BELIEFS TODAY: but come from an attempt to bridge the often huge gap between plain scriptural truth and what are popular cultural beliefs starting with the beginning: (1) The world came about through an evolutionary process/theistic evolution, (2) everyone’s religion in ok/Jesus is not the only way but one way to heaven, (3) If you judge someone you are hateful bigot/ Jesus said that you cannot judge anyone, (4)materialism/ following Jesus will bring you wealth and happiness, (5) Justification for sinful lifestyles, (6) marriage is outdated, (cohabitation and believing God is ok with it).

So when there is a popular cultural belief and then a religious belief that has popped up that seeks to justify you need to check your bible.

For those who believe that God’s word is truth and that we can know it today then the question for us is are we teaching it and are we walking in it or living it out daily.

JOHN AND GOD HAD GREAT JOY BECAUSE THE BELIEVERS FIRST WRITTEN TO HERE WERE WALKING OR LIVING IN THE TRUTH.

WE CANNOT KNOW THE TRUTH AND WALK IN IT UNLESS WE FIRST KNOW IT. BUT BEYOND KNOWING IT WE MUST ALSO BELIEVE IT IN OUR HEARTS.

WE UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO WALK IN SOMETHING. IT IS NOT JUST LIVING IN KNOWLEDGE, IT IS WHEN YOU BELIEVE SOMETHING SO THAT IT PERMEATES YOUR ACTIONS. (IN OTHER WORDS YOUR ACTIONS ARE DRIVEN BY THE BELIEF.)

They were not buying into the lies that Jesus did not really come in the flesh. They were living out their faith in the true gospel and God’s commandments.

Jesus said that we can know the truth and be set free from the lies that keep us captive. What Jesus told the Jews who believed in Him is true for us today.

John 8:31–32 ESV

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:32 ESV

and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John

ARE YOU WALKING IN THE TRUTH? ARE THERE ANY LIES THAT YOU HAVE BEEN BELIEVING? ARE YOU WALKING OR LIVING MOMENT BY MOMENT, DAY BY DAY BY GOD’S TRUTH?

If you recognize that you have not been. If you know you have been trapped by a lie that is keeping you in sin and want to repent, or if you need prayers to overcome...

ARE YOU WALKING IN THE TRUTH?

When you walk in this lie everything you do is to colored by the fact that you do not think you are worthy.

(I am not valuable unless I look a certain way…) (example)

I am not valuable unless I accomplish…or I make enough, or do enough…or impress enough. Or at least make people think that I have a certain life and get enough likes on my posts on instagram.

YOU ARE VALUABLE BECAUSE YOU ARE MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD. YOU ARE PRICELESS BECAUSE GOD SENT HIS PRICELESS SON TO DIE ON THE CROSS BEFORE YOU