Walking in the Truth
For many deceivers are entered
into the world, who confess not that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This
is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look
to yourselves, that we lose not those
things which we have wrought, but
that we receive a full reward.
(2 John 1:7-8)
Truth is important. A culture built
on a foundation devoid of absolute
truth is not sustainable. It will collapse
under the weight of its own subjectivity.
It results in a loose collection of individuals
all living in their own imaginary worlds
with no way to relate to each other. It is
important that you believe that there is
truth, and it is important that you believe
the things that are true.
In the tiny epistle of 2 John, the
beloved apostle commends those who
walk in the truth and warns them to be
on guard against those who do not believe
the truth and spread lies about the person
of Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way, the
truth, and the life.” Those who follow
Jesus must acknowledge that there is
truth and that Jesus is the personification
of truth. John goes so far as to prohibit
truth followers from extending hospitality
to those who come to deceive and deny
Christ. The danger is that we would be
swept away by their lies and deceit, or
that we would harm our testimony by
associating with them. We could then
lose the rewards we would have received
if we remained faithful. We must practice
Godly discernment concerning the people
we follow and promote lest we be guilty
by association with those who don’t follow
the truth.