Walking in the Truth

I’ve recently had the privilege of crossing paths with people of other faiths – lovely people who seem to have an interest in Christianity. They’re willing to talk about faith, but, when it comes to talking about Jesus, it seems there’s a veil across their minds so they can’t grasp the truth of who He is. Jesus, who is one with the Father and Spirit, is the truth, and the starting point for walking in truth.

So, what’s truth? In our world, the idea of ultimate truth – something that’s true at all times, in all places, and has relevance for our lives - is pretty much extinct. To hold to biblical truth can be very costly for those who speak out for truth, especially high-profile people. However, if we have no absolutes, we sacrifice truth for our own ends, even if we claim to follow Jesus. He alone is our anchor in a society of relativism and falsehood. His teaching clearly points out that there’s right and wrong, irrespective of how I feel.

John wrote his epistles to counteract error in the early Church. Our text for today is in a passage which stresses that truth is primary for the Christian, yet only some of those to whom the letter was written were walking in that truth, the truth which will never change or be outdated. Only some of them were following the right path. Others were following what seemed to be more attractive teaching, which was, in reality, deception. Because the Spirit of truth lives in believers, the truth also lives in them. If we err from the truth, we grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). We can also quench Him (1 Thessalonians 5:19). He’s called the Spirit of truth.

Truth is something we’re given to obey. To walk in truth is to walk in obedience and to walk in love. It’s the way we’re called to live our lives, with a right attitude to God and who He is. This will keep us from straying from the truth, whether in doctrine or morality. The Father has called us to walk in the truth – to live our lives grounded in the truth of His word, irrespective of our culture. John warns that deceivers will come with attractive messages appealing to the flesh (2 John 1:7), but those grounded in God’s word and indwelt by the Spirit of truth will recognise the spirit of falsehood behind the message (1 John 4:6).

Walking in truth – living in a way that honours and pleases God – is active. You do it. It’s walking in consistency with the truth you hold. If you believe you’re a child of God, then walk like one. When truth touches the heart, we’re enabled by the Holy Spirit to face radical choices, wholly committed to God in our will. We can then say, “I will believe what God says and I choose to live accordingly in humility and faith.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your word which You’ve given to enable me to understand truth. Thank You for Your love gift of the Holy Spirit, who quickens my heart with truth. Thank You that You revealed Your truth to us in the person of Jesus, who is the truth. Today I ask for a renewed heart to walk in truth, obedience and love. Amen.