Posted on 05/15/2018 4:53:19 PM PDT by metmom
The twelve apostles included "John" (Matt. 10:2).
Seek to maintain a proper balance between truth and love.
Some people picture John as overly sentimental and egotistical, lying with his head on Jesus' shoulder and constantly referring to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. But that's not an accurate characterization of one of the "Son of thunder"! He loved Jesus deeply and was amazed that Jesus loved him—especially after he wanted to burn up the Samaritans and then secure a prominent place for himself in Christ's kingdom. Calling himself "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (e.g., John 21:20) was simply his way of marvelling over God's grace in his life.
As much as he loved Jesus, John never allowed his love to deteriorate into mere sentimentalism. In fact, the proper balance between truth and love is the hallmark of his ministry. In his writings we find the word love more than eighty times and witness nearly seventy times. His profound love for Christ compelled him to be a teacher of love and a witness to the truth. To him, obedience to the truth was the highest expression of love. As 1 John 2:5 says, "Whoever keeps [God's] word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected."
John's greatest joy was to know that his spiritual children were walking in the truth (3 John 4). He firmly denounced anyone who attempted to divert them from that goal by denying or distorting God's Word.
Today, media talk shows and other influences have blurred the lines between opinion and truth. One man's opinion is purported to be as good as the next, and there's little talk about what's right or wrong.
Truth suffers even within the church because many Christians are willing to compromise it to avoid upsetting people. They forget that true love flourishes only in the atmosphere of biblical truth (Phil. 1:9).
Amid such confusion, God calls you to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). The world doesn't need another opinion—it needs God's absolute and authoritative Word!
Suggestions for Prayer
Thank God for the gift of His love and the power of His truth. Ask Him to make you a person of ever-increasing biblical integrity.
For Further Study
Read Revelation 2:1-7.
What strengths did the church at Ephesus have? What did it lack? What did Jesus require of it?
Studying God’s Word ping
Thank you for the new thread. We are all students in this new life we are given by grace.
Of course to speak the truth in love means to share the Gospel, God’s truth in Holy Scripture. I also believe that it is the key to communication between Christians and between Christians and others about multitude of topics.
It is very important when we are at odds with each other to speak the truth with each other in love. When we are tempted to be mad and shout or scream, remember we are free to speak the truth in love. When we speak the truth in love about all subjects God uses what we say and He changes us and others. We all then begin to truly grow up in Christ, as we should.
Some people picture John as overly sentimental and egotistical,
Can you expound? It would be good to know your perspective on God's love.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
So many people think of love as an emotion.
I believe Paul explains it pretty good, love is not an emotion
it is a way of life.
Yes, it is a way of life, but love's actions must be done by the power of The Holy Spirit, not by our own power. When we do love's actions in thought and deed, believing that The LORD will fill our actions and faithful loving thoughts with His Spirit, then He will. The LORD's goal is not our reformation, but rather our transformation!
The LORD’s goal is not our reformation, but rather our transformation!
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