TRUTH AND LOVE

November 27

Bible Reading: 2 John

2 John 7-11, “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh.  Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.  Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.  Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God.  Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.”

John, who had much to say about the need to “love one another” (2 John 5-6), had tough words for those who were walking and teaching contrary to the truth.  He called them deceivers (2 John 7).  He warned his friends to watch themselves lest they lose, through acceptance of the false teaching, what they had worked for (2 John 8).  He indicted the false teachers for straying from the truth (2 John 9).  They considered hospitality virtuous in those days, but John counseled the recipients of his epistle to not receive the false teachers into their homes or even give them a greeting (2 John 10-11). 

Albert Barnes commented on this, “The friends of truth and piety we should receive cordially to our dwellings, and should account ourselves honored by their presence (Psalms 101:6-7), strangers we should not forget to entertain, for thereby we may entertain angels unawares (Hebrews 13:2), but the open advocate of what we regard as dangerous error, we are not to receive in any such sense or way as to have our treatment of him fairly construed as patronizing his errors, or commending him as a teacher to the favorable regards of our fellow-men…In all this there is no breach of charity, and no want of true love, for we are to love the truth more than we are the persons of men.”

Albert Barnes

In these postmodern days, a counterfeit version of “love” is adored, but truth is as an orphan. In the name of this new fashionable version of love, the modern church has broadened its umbrella to encompass all kinds of divergent beliefs and practices. But love and truth are inseparable twins. If they are to be adopted by us, we must take them both. One cannot exist—at least in a God-defined sense—apart from the other. Believers are to be “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). To speak the truth apart from love is to speak as “a noisy gong or clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1; i.e., in a harsh and annoying manner). On the other hand, love apart from truth is love in mere human terms and is inconsistent with God’s definition and objectives. Love needs to be practiced “with knowledge and all discernment” (Philippians 1:9). Jesus is the perfect example to us. He embodied truth and love, walked in both, and related to others accordingly (John 1:17).

The Intervarsity Press Commentary offers this insight: “We would do well to take note of the corporate focus of the Elder’s concern, for he is particularly worried lest the false teachers be granted an opening to teach and propagate their doctrine within the church. It is the church’s responsibility to teach people and to nurture them in faith, righteousness, and love. As a church, it must draw the lines that exclude teaching and practice it deems out of harmony with the revelation of the Scripture. It has this right and responsibility. To be sure, in the effort to guard truth with zeal, some churches draw the lines too soon and too narrowly. But in the effort to exhibit Christian charity and tolerance, some churches refuse to draw the line at all. The continuing challenge to the church is to ‘speak the truth in love.’ Unfortunately, as one wag has said, this generally leads to a lot of speaking, little truth and even less love!”

Intervarsity Press Commentary

“Truth must always guide the exercise of love.”—John MacArthur

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity
And by grace we’ll stand on Your promises
And by faith we’ll walk as You walk with us
Speak, O Lord, ‘til Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory

Unknown's avatar

Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

Leave a comment