Without love, we are nothing but noisy gongs. (See 1 Corinthians 13:1)
And the Bible is clear, love is the answer. Anyone who calls themselves a Christian but doesn't love others, is living a lie. The call to love in scripture is a call to love our brothers and sisters in Christ, our neighbors, and even our enemies. Read your Bible. Love is the number one trait that must identify who we are.
But unless we speak truth, we really are not showing love.
The Apostle John has much to say to us about truth.
2 John 1:4
I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.
I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.
3 John 1:3-4
For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
John 14:16-17
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
Truth is so important, that God sent us the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of truth, to dwell within us.
But the world is filled with untruth, with lies. Some are clearly lies. Some are harder to distinguish. The world will tell you that there are gray areas and those things we can address with compromise to the truth. That is not from God, it is from the devil.
John 8:44
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Christians, we must speak truth. We must stand in truth. God's word is the only legitimate source of truth. The Spirit of truth indwells every true believer. Jesus is the truth.
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.
Truth is under attack, in these weird and difficult days, that has become even more clear.
What should we do?
Walk in truth.
