[Truth & Love] the Protectionنموونە

Truth and Love

In the first six verses of the New Testament letter of 2 John, we find the Apostle John addressing the church. He affirms that the God of the universe wants to be in fellowship with us.

This truth can make a huge difference in our lives when we believe and receive it. The truth of the Word of God transforms us if we are receptive to it. What is John saying? That God loves us, and, if we believe this truth, we will follow His command to love one another.

First and foremost, God has commanded us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. This is followed by a second command to love our neighbors as ourselves. And now we have a new command given by Jesus: To love one another, but with this twist: as He has loved us.

How can we love as Christ loves, if we don’t abide in Him and know the truth? The first truth is that we are loved by Him. His love for us led Him to take on the cross.

To love is to follow Christ’s command to love others. Isn’t that great? If you depart from the truth, then the result will be a life that isn’t a life of love. The ramifications are significant.

The theologian, preacher, and pastor Donald Barnhouse wrote the following, combining what John said about love with the fruit of the Spirit:

Love is the key. Joy is love singing. Peace is love resting. Longsuffering is love enduring. Kindness is love’s touch. Goodness is love’s character. Faithfulness is love’s habit. Gentleness is love’s self-forgetfulness. And self-control is love holding on to our reins.

Abiding in the truth of Christ results in a life of love—a life of loving one another the way Christ has loved us. Isn’t that what we want?

Lord, I want to live in fellowship with You. Guide me to abide in Your love for me, so that my life is characterized by Your life. Make the miracle of me bearing the fruit of the Spirit a constant reality. I want to glorify You by living a life of love.