#144 Truth and Love

From Meditations on the Epistles of John, by Samuel Froehlich

I John 2:4-6 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Further, the contrast between verses 4 and 5 is to be noted. Of him who does not keep the commandments of God, John says, "the truth is not in him," but of him who keeps the Word of God, he says, "in him verily is the love of God perfected." Thus, in a certain measure, truth and love are one and the same and yet there is a difference, as between a tree and its fruit. As the truth is, thus it manifests itself by love; it passes over into love by faith. What the truth is in us, that love is outwardly. In one way, truth is the counterpart of the lie (in an unconverted person) and, in another, grace (in a converted one).