Knowing, loving, and living the truth
This letter is from John, the elder. I am writing to the chosen lady and to her children, whom I love in the truth—as does everyone else who knows the truth—because the truth lives in us and will be with us forever. 2 John 1:1-2 NLT
False teachings should not be taken for granted because souls’ eternal destiny is at stake. This is John’s concern this is why he continues to emphasize the importance of believers knowing, loving, and living the truth. Not only that the false teachers have invaded the church but also families and their homes. Paul told Titus to warn Christian families in Crete to be aware of these false teachers that promote wrong doctrines regarding salvation. “For there are many rebellious people who engage in useless talk and deceive others. This is especially true of those who insist on circumcision for salvation. They must be silenced, because they are turning whole families away from the truth by their false teaching. And they do it only for money” (Titus 1:10-11). Paul also told Timothy to warn women in Christian households at Ephesus to not allow false teachers in their homes that will seek to take advantage of their vulnerability. “They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires” (2 Timothy 3:6). This is also what Satan is doing in our homes today. As goes the home, so goes the church and the nation. The family is Satan’s favorite target for war against the truth. In this brief salutation, John used the word “truth” three times. It is by knowing the truth that Christians could counter the false teachings. But it is not enough that we know the truth by giving acceptance to a body of doctrines, for our lives must be controlled and governed by the truth for we love the truth. Then, this knowledge and love for the truth will lead us to magnify the truth in our lives. As John says, “the truth lives in us and will be with us forever” (2 John 1:2). Since God revealed Himself through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and we received Him by faith, He now lives in us, the One who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). It is important that we understand that because of our relationship with God, our lives should revolve around His truth, growing in the truth, and serving Him, the God of truth.
Blessings,
