True Love and Loving the Truth
How do we successfully live a life of love and truth with others? This challenge is a common theme in Philemon; 1, 2, and 3 John; and Jude. Truth without love is harsh, and love without truth lacks sincerity. But when combined, truth and love change people’s lives and bring the kingdom of God into a world that needs Him. Jesus lived in perfect truth and love. He is our example of how to live them in practical, everyday ways.
Together, these five short letters demonstrate what it looks like when the people of God live in His truth and love. Paul’s letter to Philemon is an appeal to a wealthy Christian slaveholder. Paul asked Philemon to accept the truth that his escaped slave had become a Christ follower—and to love his slave as a brother. In John’s three letters, the apostle encouraged believers to balance love and truth in their relationships with God and each other. Jude’s short epistle calls believers to defend the true faith from false teachers and keep themselves rooted in God’s love.