Walking in the Truth

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Walking in the Truth

Date: Aug. 28, 2018

Passage

2 John 1:1-13 (ESV)

1 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.

4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 5 And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 7 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. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

12 Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

13 The children of your elect sister greet you.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 1:6

And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.

1. Walking in obedience and love (1-6)

This book is a short letter from the Apostle John to the "chosen lady", who represents the church itself. John encourages believers to keep obeying the command of Jesus. The Christian life is a "walk" of continuous practice. Jesus' command, which never changes, is to love one another (Jn 15:17). If we walk in love, we will know the truth and the truth will remain in us.

2. Watch out for deceivers (7-13)

John also warns against a specific heresy that was beginning to pop up in the church-denying that Christ came as a man in the flesh. John says that anyone who tries to deny this is a deceiver and an antichrist. To deny Jesus' humanity is to take the saving power out of the gospel. It is so serious that anyone who stands on such ideas should not be welcomed into fellowship. John also reminds us that face-to-face visits are indispensable to Christian fellowship.

Prayer: Father, thank you for Jesus who came in the flesh to die for my sins. Help me keep Jesus' command to love each other.

One Word: Walk in the truth and in love

Complacent or Victorious?

Revelation 3:1-13

Key Verse: 3:5

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

Today's Question

How is Christ exalted?

See answer and references