Truth and Love: The Path of a Disciple
4 I
rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we
were commanded by the Father.
John writes like a father who loves
his children. His heart is full of joy because he sees believers not only
knowing the truth but also living it. Truth is not just something in the
mind—it is a way of life. It is eternal, it never changes, and it connects
believers across cultures, languages, and generations.
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Truth anchors us.
In this world, opinions change
quickly. What is popular today may be forgotten tomorrow. Feelings rise and
fall, but God’s truth never changes. His Word is steady like a rock. To walk in
truth means we do not follow trends or emotions—we follow Scripture.
- “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my
path.” (Psalm 119:105)
- “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words
will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)
Many of us
say, “I am too busy with work, I have no time for God.” But this shows that we
value our job more than the One who gave us life. Work is important, but it is
not eternal. If we give all our strength to our career and leave no room for
God, we are building on sand. The Lord calls us to repent of neglecting Him. He
reminds us that His Word must guide us even in our workplace, our schedules,
and our daily choices. To ignore Him is dangerous, but to obey Him is safe and
strong.
6 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
1:6)
John also speaks about love. Love is
not a new idea. From the very beginning, God has commanded His people to love.
But love is not only words or feelings—it must be lived out every day. Real
love means obeying God’s Word. To walk in truth is to walk in love, and to walk
in love is to obey God.
Love is more than words. It is more than feelings.
Real love shows itself in action. To love God means we obey His commands, even
when it is difficult or costly. Love is proven when we choose His way instead
of our own way.
- If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (John
14:15)
- For this is the love of God, that we keep his
commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. (1 John 5:3)
Obedience is not always easy. Sometimes it means
giving up something we want. Sometimes it means forgiving someone who hurt us.
Sometimes it means standing firm when others laugh at our faith. But true love
for God is shown when we obey Him, even in those hard moments.
Love is not
just about saying “I love God.” It is about living in a way that pleases Him.
When we obey, we show that our love is real. When we obey, we bring joy to
God’s heart.
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Discipleship is a walk.
John
rejoiced not in believers who only knew the truth, but in those who walked in
it. Our faith must be lived out daily, step by step.
- I have no greater joy than to
hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3 John 1:4)
Discipleship
means following Jesus every day. It is not just about knowing the truth in our
minds—it is about living it out in our lives. John was happy when he saw
believers not only believing the truth but also walking in it. Faith is not
something we keep inside; it must be seen in the way we live.
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Truth and love must stay together.
Truth and
love are like two friends who must always walk side by side. If we have truth
without love, it can feel hard, cold, and harsh. If we have love without truth,
it can feel weak, shallow, and empty. But when truth and love stay together,
they show the real path of a disciple.
- “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with
the truth.” (1 Corinthians 13:6)
- “Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to
become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is,
Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15)
Truth guides
us. It shows us what is right and what is wrong. Love softens our hearts. It
helps us care for people and forgive them. Together, truth and love make us
strong disciples who live like Jesus.
So,
John teaches
us: if we want to follow Jesus, we must live in truth and love. Truth keeps us
safe from lies. Love shows that we belong to Him.
We cannot
grow alone. Real joy comes when we meet together in church. Online is good, but
face-to-face fellowship is God’s way. We must choose to go and encourage one
another.
Faith is not
only about starting. It is about finishing strong. Hold on to truth and love
until the end, and God will give the full reward.
To be a true
disciple: guard your heart, go to church, and keep walking in truth and love.
Let us reflect!
- Am I walking daily in both truth
and love?
- Do I measure my love by
obedience to God’s Word?
- Is my discipleship a steady
walk, or just occasional steps?
Let’s
pray
Lord Jesus,
thank You for Your truth that never changes and for the love You have given
since the beginning. Please teach us to walk in Your truth each day and to show
real love by obeying You. Help us not only to know Your Word but also to live
it step by step. Make us faithful followers who live in both truth and love, so
that our lives bring joy to You and encouragement to others. Give us strength
when we feel weak, remind us when we forget, and guide us when we are unsure.
May our walk be steady, our love be true, and our obedience be complete.
In Jesus
‘name, Amen.
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PASTORA MAY – JCRC STEUNG MEANCHEY
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