The elder to the
elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also
all who know the truth, 2 because of
the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and
from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.
THE STUDY:
In these
three verses the word TRUTH is found 4 times! As I have mentioned before, one
of the keys to studying God’s word is looking at repeated words in a certain
passage. This morning we want to look at the word truth.
The concept
of “truth” (alētheia) appears more than two dozen times in the Gospel of John,
twice as many as in the Synoptic Gospels combined. Truth is the most frequent
key word in the letters.
In the Gospel of John truth can
refer to content to be believed—“If
you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the
truth, and the truth will set you free” (8:31–32; see vv 40–46). God’s “word is truth” (17:17).
But truth also assumes living in
right relationship with “the only
true God” (17:3). Jesus is truth incarnate as God’s revelation, and the
Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of truth”
(14:17; 15:26; 16:13). The individual who receives God’s truth “lives by” it (3:21), worships “in spirit and truth,” and is sanctified
by the truth (17:17).[1]
WHAT WE CAN WALK
AWAY WITH ….
- We walk away this morning with the understanding that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Trinity) is TRUTH. John states that his love, as well as others, is found in truth. This truth abides (remains) in them which is brought about by divine grace, mercy and peace.
CONCLUSION:
Truth
is the means by which Christians love one another (v 1). It also refers
to content one knows. The truth
is personified—it lives in Christians. Characteristics of God, grace, mercy and peace, are with us
in truth (v 3). Also, truth is
relational and progressive, something we can “walk” in (v 4).[2]
Let today be a day that truth is lived
out by us as believers. Let people see that which lives inside us as we walk
this pathway called TRUTH!
Blessings my friends
Pastor Rod
[1]
Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3
John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary
(68). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.
[2]
Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3
John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary
(186). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.
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