DN Speaking the Truth in Love 5/15/2007
- From: Peter G. Chase <pchase@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 15 May 2007 00:02:22 -0400
DRAWING NEAR
MAY 15
Speaking the Truth in Love
The twelve apostles included "John" (Matt. 10:2).
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?
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
John 21:20 (NKJV)
20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved
following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said,
"Lord, who is the one who betrays You?"
3 John 4
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Philippians 1:9
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in
knowledge and all discernment
Ephesians 4:15
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into
Him who is the head; Christ
Revelation 2:1-7
2:1 "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says
He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the
midst of the seven golden lampstands:
2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot
bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are
apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
3 "and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for
My name's sake and have not become weary.
4 "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your
first love.
5 "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the
first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your
lampstand from its place; unless you repent.
6 "But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans,
which I also hate.
7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of
life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."'
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
http://www2.oneplace.com/Ministries/Grace_to_You/
and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
letters@xxxxxxx
NOTE for those of you reading via newsgroups: If you wish to reach
me, please contact me via e-mail for quickest results.
In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase@xxxxxxxxxx
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
http://www.gty.org/Gospel
http://www.gty.org/
http://www.nwbible.org/
There is a living God. He has spoken in His word. He means just what he says, and will do all that He has promised. - Hudson Taylor
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