I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in truth: 2 John 4

2 John 4 New American Standard Bible

4 I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received a commandment to do from the Father.

What does it mean to walk in the truth? The Greek word here is peripateo and it means to tread all around, walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary): go, be occupied with, walk (about). To walk in the truth means that we are living according to the word of God. False teaching had infilitrated the early church and sadly caused some to abandon faith in Jesus Christ. The false teaching of the day challenged the deity of Jesus and sadly some of those who were of the fellowship had wandered off.

John’s joy was found in hearing that some were walking in the truth. That not all had abandoned the truth. When we examine the life and ministry of Jesus, we find that in the beginning large crowds followed Him and listened to His words. But as His ministry progressed and He began to speak more difficult things, the crowd began to dwindle away. Even at the end as He went to the cross, all the disciples themselves abandoned Him.

Jesus said broad is the way that leads to destruction and many will find it, but narrow is the road that leads to life and few will find it. Sadly, many in this life would rather chase after the world and its desires. They remain bound in darkness because the more they engage and give into temptation, the more it enslaves them. But for the individual who hears the gospel and repents of their sin, they are set free. The more we grow in Christ, the more we simply desire and hunger after Him. Sadly, the reason that some abandon the faith is they fail to abide in Him. A one day a week experience in a building for a few hours is not sufficient for us to walk and grow into all that God has commanded and planned for us. Our lives must be a daily investment in our relationship with Jesus Christ.