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6 So we are always confident, even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the
Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to
him. 10 For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive due recompense for actions done in the body, whether good or evil.
2 Corinthians 5:6-10.

 Years ago, I heard a story of a young professional facing a serious health crisis. A colleague located in a cube next door stepped around the wall to speak to him at the end of the workday. The associate spoke in tentative voice saying, “Hey man, we will be praying for you.” The distraught twenty-four year old commented, “Do you really believe that stuff.” His colleague stammered, “Well of course I do… Why would you ask such a silly question?” The reply caused him to pause……. “Come to think of it, you have never invited me to visit your church, you attend about one Sunday a month, and I understand most folks throw twenty bucks in the plate. Doesn’t seem like anyone is really committed or believes in prayer.”

Are we truly committed to our faith or going through the motions to do what we sort-a believe? Mark Batterson, in his book All In, defines the half-hearted approach as seeking a Christian insurance plan. We want to do just enough to get into the gates of heaven. He writes, “Jesus didn’t die to keep us safe. He died to make us dangerous. Faithfulness is not holding the fort. It’s storming the gates of hell.”1 Do our friends, family and neighbors represent to others that we are Christian? Perhaps walking in truth is all about the shadow of compassionate care that we leave behind…

The popular quote attributed to St. Francis of Assisi captures the essence of walking in the truth, “Preach the Gospel. Use words if necessary.” After some brief research I found the actual recorded words of St. Francis recorded in Rule 1221 as, “All the Friars . . . should preach by their deeds.”2 I offer that the well revised quote may be attributed to an unknown bright Methodist minister polishing a sermon in the early 1800’s. I have come to believe that few folks know us by our words or lofty superlatives rather by our example. We quietly observe faithful Christians and then ask…. “Now how do I walk in the truth?” Despite what we may believe to be our Facebook self-image, the world around us sees us clearly through our acts and deeds.

2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. 3 I was overjoyed when some of the friends arrived and testified to your faithfulness to the truth, namely how you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:2-4.

We do not have to attempt faithful living alone. Jesus built His church to gather the faithful in learning, service, and fellowship. John writes of the joy in learning that the young church congregations were working to support one another through mentoring and fellowship that bears spiritual well-being and faithful living. John defined “walking in the truth” as living the teachings of Christ. Faithful living is well-defined in the Bible but perhaps best taught through the example of brothers and sisters in Christ.

I have often considered writing a book on the benefits of faithful living. My preamble would describe the benefits to society of low crime rates, decreased teen pregnancy, lessor addiction, strong successful families, and prosperity under God’s grace. I would pen a long list of blessings including forgiveness, redemption, salvation, peace, loving relationships, and joy. I would challenge the reader to a daily life of faithful Christian living. After a careful review of the new book outline I realized that there was already a best-selling “how to” written on the topic. We just have to find it on a forgotten shelf and dust off the leather cover.

Prayer: Jesus grant us the internal fortitude to live in the moment with You serving as an example of walking in truth. Forgive us when we stumble and fall short of Your expectations and may your grace sustain us. Bind us in Christian fellowship encouraging, mentoring, and serving. We make this prayer in the name of our Lord Jesus. Amen.

1 Matk Batterson, All In: You are one decision away from a totally different life. Zondervan Books 2013, Pages 13-14.

2  https://www.christiantoday.com/news/if-necessary-use-words-what-did-francis-of-assisi-really-say.

The Wesleyan Bridge is written by K.B. Kelly with the Reverend Valerie Mireb and Pastor Hank Brooks as Theological Editors and Debbie Kelly as Text and Content Editor.