Truth Matters

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Teaching children to tell the truth is no small task.  I tried to drive this point home with my children when they were young by saying this, "I’m not punishing you for what you did wrong, but for not telling me the truth when I ask you."   


I did this with the hope that the next time I needed to address untruthfulness they would ponder the message and do the right thing by telling the truth no matter what the consequences might be. 

 

This lesson has been used by parents for generations.  Why?  Because truth matters.

 

The one chapter and thirteen verse of the book of Second John holds a powerful message.

 

·      Know the truth.

·      Walk in the truth.

·      Protect the message of the truth.

 

The truth that John is driving home for us in this book is that we should love one another, and John did not leave the truth of loving one another undefined. 

 

In 2 John 1:4-6 in The Message says this.

 

I can’t tell you how happy I am to learn that many members of your congregation are diligent in living out the Truth, exactly as commanded by the Father. But permit me a reminder, friends, and this is not a new commandment but simply a repetition of our original and basic charter: that we love each other. Love means following his commandments, and his unifying commandment is that you conduct your lives in love. This is the first thing you heard, and nothing has changed.

 

When training a child, we start at the beginning with a principle that we want them to learn.  That training is consistent and unchanging.  

God started from the beginning teaching His children an unchanging principle too, that we should love one another!

This truth matters.  When Believers allow worldly things to override their love one for another--we are acting in disobedience.   

·      Know the truth—by studying God’s Word to know what the Bible says about love.  

·      Walk in the truth—by showing your love for one another with your words and deeds.

·      Protect the truth—by not bringing shame to the name of Jesus by your unloving actions towards other Believers.

 

One day we will each stand before our Heavenly Father, and I hope He will not judge us too harshly when he recalls our love for one another.    

 

Truth Matters—Love one another.

 

 

 

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