Listen

Little children, let’s not love with words or speech but with action and truth. This is how we will know that we belong to the truth and reassure our hearts in God’s presence. Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts and knows all things. Dear friends, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have confidence in relationship to God.

1 John 3:18-21

Think

“Don’t lie to me; tell the truth!”

“I’m going to tell you the honest truth.”

“It’s the truth: I’m not lying to you!”

This is our usual understanding of “truth” – truth usually means saying what is factual, not lying.

But here in this passage, “truth” means something different, something more: Truth is something we belong to, in the same way that we belong to Jesus.

This passage reminds us to show love for one another with our actions, by reaching out to those in need and using whatever we have to care for them. By loving with action in this way, we reassure ourselves – and the world – that we belong to Truth, and we belong to God.

Jane Claspy Nesmith

Pray

Jesus, you are the Way, the Truth, and the Light. Strengthen me so that I may actively bring your Truth into this world by showing love for others, especially those in need. Amen.

Go

Go, knowing that the good shepherd is with you

In grassy meadows,

Beside restful waters,

Through shadowy dark valleys.

Go, knowing that the good shepherd, Jesus Christ,

Claims you as his own.