True Love

The Elder: to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth -- and not only I, but also all who have come to know the truth.... - 2 John 1

What is true love?

John, writing to local churches, said that he loved them "in truth," but what does this mean? What exactly is "true" love?

First of all, true love is honest. The Apostle Paul said, "Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth." True love speaks the truth to another person because this person needs to hear it. Secondly, true love is unselfish. Even if a person doesn't like hearing the truth from a friend, the loving friend speaks it anyway. Solomon wrote that the wounds of a friend can be trusted, but sometimes friendships are sacrificed on the altar of truth. More often than not, folks would rather perpetuate a lie than lose a friend.

If you love someone, you will lovingly tell them what they need to hear, not what they necessarily want to hear. This is true love.

People say they love truth, but in reality, they want to believe that which they love is truth. - Robert J. Ringer