Truth and Love 

   There was a song in the 1950s that went, Love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage. You can't have one without the other. 

   Our culture doesn't sing that song, does it? In fact, the government gives money to single mothers; no moral requirements. 

   Who would shut one window on a cold night while leaving another wide open? What family would invite a loose python to spend the night? Some things are all or nothing. 

   Late in life, before the Revelation, the apostle John wrote his second letter. He emphasized, love in the truth ... because of the truth ... in truth and love ... children walking in truth. This coupling is consistent throughout the New Testament. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:6, love...rejoices with the truth. 

   Some people think love, friendship and unity are the way, and are offended when others say truth is a condition for unity. It is also possible to teach Biblical truth and doctrines without having love and concern for others.  

   John wrote, Many (Christian?) deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what you have...  

   When John says, We know... in his first letter, he is referring to decades earlier when he was a disciple in training, the bitter day he watched Jesus' body die on the cross, followed by the awesome times he and others met with resurrected Jesus.    

   Belief in the blood is a condition for God's grace, mercy and peace. 

               Jimmy