WHAT IS WALKING IN THE TRUTH

Table of Contents

1. Introduction and Context
2. The Gospel of Christ: Power for Salvation
3. The Difference Between Old Covenant and New Covenant
4. The Trap of Mixture and Works
5. Already Qualified in Christ
6. Believing vs. Striving
7. The Rest Found in Righteousness and Love
8. Jesus: The Way, the Truth, and the Life
9. Peace with God Through Faith
10. The Father’s Sacrifice and Ephesians 5:2
11. Hebrews 10: The End of Sacrifices
12. Ephesians 2:8-9: Salvation is a Gift
13. Grace and Truth Through Jesus Christ
14. Paul’s Warning to Timothy
15. Paul’s Confrontation of Peter in Galatians 2
16. Walking in Truth and Prosperity (3 John 2-4)
17. Conclusion: No Greater Joy

Introduction and Context

Pastor Leonard begins with a personal note, thanking the church for prayers during a family transition. He quickly turns to his burning theme: the gospel of grace. He declares with Paul that Romans 1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."This gospel alone carries the power for salvation in all its fullness.

The Gospel of Christ: Power for Salvation

Salvation includes redemption, rescue, deliverance, healing, and health. Pastor Leonard emphasizes that the gospel is not partial—it is the full power of God. To experience God’s power, we must cling to the gospel of Christ, not to a mixture of law and grace.

The Difference Between Old Covenant and New Covenant

He explains that the “New Testament” section of the Bible does not equal the New Covenant. The New Covenant only began after Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised on the third day. That resurrection is when grace entered reality. Before that, there was a mixture with the Old Covenant.

The Trap of Mixture and Works

Even today, believers sometimes fall back into works—giving more, praying more, sacrificing more—thinking that will make them more qualified. This, Pastor Leonard explains, is not grace but a return to law. Grace is not about what we do; it is about what the Father has already done in Christ.

Already Qualified in Christ

Through Jesus, believers are already qualified. Colossians 1:12: "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light."
Also, 2 Peter 1:3: "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue."
And Ephesians 1:3: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ."

Believing vs. Striving

He stresses that it is not about striving. As John wrote, 1 John 4:17: "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." Victory comes not from doing but from believing who Christ has made us to be.

The Rest Found in Righteousness and Love

When facing struggles like waiting for healing, many toil with unbelief or strive to “use their authority.” But Pastor Leonard reminds us that it is not striving but resting in God’s love and righteousness. Revelation of righteousness makes us know we are qualified. Revelation of His love empowers faith.

Jesus: The Way, the Truth, and the Life

Jesus Himself declared, John 14:6: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." This echoes John 8:24: "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." Jesus is the only way—the road—to the Father.

Peace with God Through Faith

Because of this road, believers have peace: Romans 5:1: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Father’s Sacrifice and Ephesians 5:2

Jesus’ life was a sacrifice given by the Father for us. Ephesians 5:2: "And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour." The Father provided His own offering for Himself on our behalf.

Hebrews 10: The End of Sacrifices

Sacrifices under the law did not please God. Only Christ’s offering did. Hebrews 10:6-10: "In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By which we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

Ephesians 2:8-9: Salvation is a Gift

Salvation is never a reward for works. Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Grace and Truth Through Jesus Christ

John declared, John 1:16-17: "And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."

Paul’s Warning to Timothy

Paul warned Timothy to stay in the truth. 2 Timothy 2:14-15: "Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Paul’s Confrontation of Peter in Galatians 2

When Peter compromised, Paul corrected him: Galatians 2:11-14: "But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that, certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?"

Walking in Truth and Prosperity (3 John 2-4)

John ties walking in truth to prosperity and health: 3 John 2-4: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth, for I rejoiced greatly when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

Conclusion: No Greater Joy

Walking in the truth means resting in what Jesus has done, not striving in guilt or condemnation. God’s joy is for His children to walk in the truth of the gospel of grace.

We hope this article blessed you. Share this teaching with friends and family so that others may also walk in the truth of God’s grace, free from guilt, shame, and condemnation, and rejoice in the finished work of Christ.