Though the postulations of science have often been proven wrong and the “facts” of science have frequently changed in contradictory ways, we are told that we may put our trust in the authority of science because it is factual and true.  On the other hand, religion and morality, we have been led to believe (those realities that are most essential to us), have no basis in objective reality, have nothing to do with facts, and are entirely subjective.  But God, ever knowing the deceitfulness of the human heart, among His last inspired words to us (III John), gave us an epistle devoted to the necessity and reality of objective truth.  In multiple ways, John makes clear that there is a truth outside of and above man by which God measures him and by which he may measure himself.  John is not writing a systematic theology nor even a formal treatise on truth, so we should not expect the material to be presented in that format.  But that the subject of truth is in the forefront of his mind is irrefutable, and the ideas he touches on remain pertinent to believers today.

                1.  “Love in the truth” (v. 1).  John addresses his epistle to Gaius, whom he describes as one he “love[s] in the truth.”  What a powerful touchstone this is for our understanding of love.  In one simple clause, John scatters the silly, sentimental notion that godly love is a human-generated emotion.  No, godly love, biblical love, right love, real love accords with the truth of the Word of God.  It is motivated and governed by truth, not emotion, and by what is right, not by sentiment.

                2.  “Testified of the truth that is in thee” (v. 3).  Shakespeare steered us wrong with the advice of Polonius to Laertes:  “To thine own self be true.”  Such humanistic ideals eventually gave rise to modern existentialism and nihilism.  John steers us straight:  our hope is not being consistent with ourselves and our own nature; rather, we must be faithful to the objective truth of God, which He implants in the hearts and minds of those who believe.

                3.  “Walkest in the truth” (v. 3).  It is not sufficient to have a knowledge of objective truth, nor should we be satisfied merely to be saved and to have the truth within us.  We are called to walk in the truth, that is, to be governed by all that the Word of God reveals.  Truth that is known and ignored is worse than useless.  In such cases, not only do we fail to receive the positive blessing of living in accord with God’s will, but we fall under condemnation for refusing the light we have been privileged to receive.  The standard for our behavior and the measure of its value is the Word of God alone.

                4.  “Walk in truth” (v. 4).  John refuses to leave this theme.  Earlier, he had said that he wanted Gaius to “prosper and be in health” even as his soul prospered.  But his “greater”—greatest—joy was in hearing that the saints were walking in the truth.  Obedience to the truth brings joy to us, to others who love the Lord, and to the Lord Himself.

                5.  “Fellowhelpers to the truth” (v. 8).  Not only are we ourselves to live lives in accord with the Word of God, we are to support those who are preaching and teaching the truth.  The life of the Christian is to be all about the truth of God.  It is for that purpose of proclaiming and supporting the truth that we have been redeemed.  If we have any other primary focus, our lives are not what they ought to be in the Lord.

                6.  “A good report . . . of the truth itself” (v. 12).  John makes this statement concerning a man named Demetrius, who John says has a good testimony from everyone, including himself, and “of the truth itself.”  What a marvelous testimony!   Measured by the standard of the Word of God, Demetrius received an “A+.”  John did not rely on the opinion of others nor even his own opinion.  His measure of the character of Demetrius was that of the Word.  That is the final and only standard by which we will be judged.  We may deceive others.  Even if we don’t, no one knows everything about us.  But God does.  And it is His view, the truth, as revealed in the Word by which we will be measured and judged.

                7.  “Our record is true” (v. 12).  Can we stand with John and say with a clear and informed conscience that “our record is true”?  Have we conducted our lives in keeping with the Word of God.  Are we “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God,” and are we “bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (II Cor. 10:5)?

                The truth is real and objective; it is eternal and unchanging.  It has been revealed by God in His Word, and it counts.    It is the standard by which the works of our lives will measured for blessing or burning (I Cor. 3:11-15).