How can we encourage others to walk in truth as John did? John’s Joy in Truth “ ‘For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, because you are walking in the truth.’ ” (3 John 1:3) • John’s delight springs from hearing that fellow believers live out the gospel he taught. • His response shows that encouraging others begins with genuine joy in their faithfulness. Understand What “Walking in Truth” Means • Truth is a Person—Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:6) • It is also a lifestyle—“Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth.” (Psalm 86:11) • Walking in truth = daily obedience that lines up with God’s revealed Word. Practical Ways to Encourage Others to Walk in Truth 1. Celebrate evidence of faithfulness – John openly rejoices; we can likewise verbalize appreciation when we see obedience. – “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11) 2. Share Scripture consistently – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another.” (Colossians 3:16) – A verse offered in conversation, text, or card keeps truth central. 3. Model integrity yourself – “Join one another in following my example.” (Philippians 3:17) – Consistency gives weight to our words—people imitate what they see. 4. Practice hospitable support – 3 John 1:5-8 commends welcoming traveling teachers. – Today: house missionaries, provide meals for Bible-study leaders, fund gospel work. 5. Speak correction lovingly when needed – “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” (Proverbs 27:6) – Use Scripture to restore, not to shame (Galatians 6:1). 6. Pray with and for them – Paul prayed “that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.” (Colossians 4:12) – Let others hear you ask God to keep them in truth. Guard Against Voices That Pull Away from Truth • Diotrephes (3 John 1:9-10) loved preeminence and rejected authority. • Encourage discernment: “Test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” (1 John 4:1) • Point friends back to apostolic teaching (Acts 2:42). The Fruit of Encouraging Others • Shared joy—“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4) • Strengthened witness—unity in truth makes the gospel visible (John 17:21). • Lasting reward—“Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death.” (James 5:20) Takeaway By rejoicing openly, sharing the Word, modeling integrity, extending hospitality, correcting in love, praying diligently, and guarding against error, we follow John’s example and help others stay on the solid path of truth. |
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