Standing Firm in Truth and Love

In the state of New Mexico, there is a small town by the name of Truth or Consequences. The name change happened in 1950 to coincide with a game show hosted by Ralph Edwards. The residents of this town are the first to admit that after the name change, weird things began to happen daily. To this day the town is known as a "Weird Town with Weird Happenings."

There was not a Truth or Consequences town or game show when Paul was writing his love letters to the Church. But there certainly were some weird things happening within the towns and churches. In his second letter, John is warning the believers that deceivers had gone out into the world and how they should watch themselves because of the falsehoods being spread about Jesus and His teachings. John is encouraging those believers to continue walking in Truth and Love or there will be serious consequences ahead. 

John's warning is just as important for us to hear today. Join us as we see how Truth and Love should characterize our everyday walk with the Lord lest we face the consequences that may lie ahead.

I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 

2 John 1 (ESV)

Principle (know it):

You cannot love anything outside of the truth. The two are inseparable.

A distinguishing mark of being a follower of Christ is a deep, sincere love for brothers and sisters in Christ.

We must stay watchful for those who would spread false doctrines those contrary to the teachings of Christ.

We stay connected to God and His Son by abiding in the Word of God.

Practices (do them):

1. Do you stand tall in regard to the truths of the Gospel or do you simply tolerate falsehoods?

2. Do you have a balance of truth and love in your life?

3. Do you pattern your life after Jesus - the only One who perfectly balanced truth and love?

Daily Readings:

Sunday: 1 John 1
Monday: 1 John 2
Tuesday: 1 John 3
Wednesday: 1 John 4
Thursday: 1 John 5
Friday: 2 John
Saturday: 3 John