I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. (2 John 1:4-5)
Defending the Gospel and Walking in the Truth
During the latter part of the first century, Christians faced the growing threat of Gnosticism. Derived from the Greek word for “knowledge,” this movement claimed to provide secret insights about God. Gnostics believed the physical realm was inherently evil, while the spiritual realm was good. Because of this, they argued that Jesus could not have appeared in a truly human form; His physical appearance was merely an illusion. John contended with these false teachings, urging believers in 1 John 4 to test the spirits and return to the foundational truths of the faith.
Abiding in Faith and Walking in the Truth
To abide in the truth means to integrate the gospel into the deep convictions that guide your life. If you live by the conviction that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came in the flesh, you abide in the truth. According to 1 John 1:3, this fellowship extends to the Father and the Son. By remaining true to these elements, as encouraged in 1 John 2:24, believers maintain their spiritual foundation. These convictions save our souls, and as 1 John 5:11-13 promises, they provide the assurance of eternal life.
A New Commandment of Sacrificial Love
Christian leadership involves the heartache of watching some walk away, as Paul describes in Philippians 3:18-19, but also the joy of seeing others “walking in the truth.” John found gratification in seeing brethren love one another. While the command to love one’s neighbor is old, John 13:34 adds a new benchmark: we must love as Jesus loved us. By sacrificing Himself, Jesus established a new standard. True disciples follow this, as 1 John 4:7-11 explains, showing the world they belong to Christ through sacrificial love.
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