The word for today is truth. In our time, truth is under siege. Our society no longer understands it or seeks it. But in a world where accurate information is drowned in a sea of misinformation, truth is a casualty. But in our reading of 3 John 1:1-15, we hear the apostle commend the recipient of this personal letter for “walking in the truth” (vs. 3). The apostle writes, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (vs. 4).
Truth in the New Testament
Truth is a constant theme in the New Testament, but it has different connotations as an article on the vocabulary of “Truth” https://biblehub.com/topical/t/truth.htm) shows. In the synoptic Gospels, Jesus reinforces the certainty of this teaching with the phrase, “But I tell you truly… (Luke 21:3 John 6:14; John 7:40 1 Thessalonians 2:13), and again, “Truly I say to you…” (Matthew 8:10, 10:23, 10:4, 17:20 etc.). We could say that the term truth underscores the certainty and rightness of what is taught.
In Paul, the word has an association with faithfulness (Romans 3:3 and 3:7) and trustworthiness (1 Timothy 3:1), (Romans 16:8). The writings of John draw out the connotation of genuineness (1 John 3:18 2 John 1:1; 2 John ; 3 John 1:1). In summary, the use of the term truth in the Book of Revelation testifies to the trustworthiness of the divine vision because that revelation discloses ultimate reality (3:7, 14; 6:10; 15:03; 19:9, 11).
Truth in 3 John
Now in 3 John, we have the seminal thought of “walking in the truth.” Surely that does not mean holding certain propositions to be true or believing in a body of doctrine as “revealed truth.” “Walking in the truth” is not living according to Jesus’ teachings as profound as they are. As we have seen in our study, “walking in the truth,” is living in a relationship.
The key, of course, is the Word of Jesus, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 4:16). The phrase “walking in the truth” is an apt summary of what the Lord is saying. He is the “way” to “walk.” That means He is the way “live” and have life in Him. He is the very embodiment of the Truth.
For Reflection
May I suggest that the “spiritual disciplines” may either bring us closer or farther away from the Truth that is Jesus our Lord. We can make such a fuss over practices that we lose their intention. As we start this Meatfare week, let us make our “meat” to spend time in the presence of our Lord, sitting at his feet as Mary did in Bethany, listening to Him, praying to Him, abiding in Him, receiving His love and loving Him in return. Let us “walk in the Truth” of the Lord Jesus for no other reason than He is the Truth who saves us.