The word truth is used 11 times in 10 verses in the NIV. The word is in all 5 chapters. The opposite of truth is a lie. The words lie and liar appear in every chapter except chapter 3. As you read, what does being characterized by truth look like throughout the book? What lies do the liars tell throughout the book?
Nov 19, 2009
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"If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth."
ReplyDeleteI think there are at least two levels of meaning here. First, truth just means - consistent. You can't say one thing, do another, AND be honest.
Second, and deeper, "truth" means "true to Jesus". In John 14.6, Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth and the life."
If we are living in sin, it doesn't matter what excuses we make or what lies we tell. The reality is that we are not being true to Jesus' way, his true or the life he shares with us.
Will we walk in Jesus' truth or will we tell lies and make excuses?
"Who is the liar? The one who denies that Jesus is the Christ. This is the Antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son." (2.22)
ReplyDeleteHow is that for a definition of "antichrist"? Simply, one who denies that Jesus is the Christ.
When I think of people who deny that Jesus is the Christ, but who still want to think of themselves as "Christians", I think of those who would deny the bodily resurrection while affirming Jesus as a good teacher. They say things like, "he was a great teacher!" "He did many good things!" "He was a prophet that died unjustly!" "We should all follow his example!" And... he was just a man and that died. He was not God.
Sunday, I hope to play a clip from "The Da Vinci Code" as an example of this type of teaching. Where else do you see it?