Semper Fi to Truth
Our culture tells us to be true to ourselves. But when our own hearts are deceitful, we might have a problem. Being semper fi to truth is the defining attribute of believers.
Bible Reading: 3 John
Today we are reading from the book of 3 John. John’s letter to Gaius . . .
3 John 1:3 “For I was very glad when fellow believers came and testified to your fidelity to the truth—how you are walking in truth.”
Semper Fi to Truth—Always Faithful
That word fidelity means faithful. It makes me think of the U.S. Marine’s slogan, “Semper Fi”. Semper Fidelis is a Latin phrase that means “always faithful” or “always loyal”.
John was saying that Gaius was always faithful to the truth. Other people spoke about this loyalty to God’s word.
When we are faithful to the truth, it will impact all of our life.
Scripture of the Day: 3 John 1:4
“I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in truth.”
Loyalty to the truth is shown by how we live out that truth in our life. We will walk in truth—in our speech, in our conduct.
Semper Fi to Truth—Speaking Truth
Ephesians 4:15
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”
And it will be evident to all around us.
3 John 1:5-6a
“Dear friend, you are acting faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers and sisters, especially when they are strangers. 6 They have testified to your love before the church.”
Semper Fi to Truth—Commitment
What do people testify about us? Do they see our commitment to truth? To God’s word? And do we support those who stand for truth?
It will not be popular to do so in a culture where truth is relative.
3 John 1:8
“Therefore, we ought to support such people so that we can be coworkers with the truth.”
Semper Fi to Truth—Set Free
The thing about the truth is it sets us free from the bondage of lies in our culture, from false perceptions that are understood through God’s word, and from lies in our own mind.
John 8:32 ESV
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
But how we apply the truth to our life will require diligence on our part. The truth is something we have to seek after. We find it as we study God’s word.
2 Timothy 2:15 ESV
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
We are not perfect and the deception all around us can cause us to lose focus. But God wants to help us.
Psalm 86:11 ESV
“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”
And the Holy Spirit, our Helper, lives within us.
John 14:17 ESV
“Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”
Application
- May we be faithful to God’s word – to His truth, more than any other lie this world offers.
- Romans 3:4, “Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.””
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘁 12 𝗽𝗺 𝗘𝗧.
Day #357 3 John
𝒱𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒟𝒶𝓎: 3 John 1:4
“I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in truth.”
Join live: www.facebook.com/deniseduboispass
Missed one of the Bible time lives? No problem! Check it out on my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/denisepass_seeingdeep
Sign up for the Bible Reading Plan!
