The apostle John loved the truth (as
opposed to simply knowing truth). He wrote this in his third letter, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."
There's
a vast difference between being a "lover of Truth" and being one who
simply knows true information or true doctrines. I believe that one
thing that shows that John was a lover of truth is that he loved and
closely followed Jesus who is Truth personified. More than simply giving
data and facts
about the Man, John shares from a deep personal knowing of Him.
The following are some characteristics that I see of one who loves the
Truth (as opposed to merely having correct information or beliefs):
- Active seeking of the person of Jesus (Truth personified); i.e., not settling for gaining correct facts or beliefs about Him but seeking His Spirit for a knowing/understanding of the person of Jesus...who He is, what He's like, what He desires, and how He feels and thinks about His creation in general, and about me in particular.
- Holy dissatisfaction with what I presently know of Him and His ways; i.e., never content with what I have learned in the past. Although thankful for what I have learned, I should be ever pressing into His Spirit for further understanding and experiencing of this God-Man Who is unlike any other in the universe in His love and kindness and embracing of all humans.
- Willingness to let go of certainty and "unlearn" what I have known as truth; i.e., there are things that I have learned along the way that must be unlearned as I mature in God; this is a natural part of maturing in any walk of life, but it is painful for fearful humans because we find identity and security in believing that what we believe is correct. It disorients us to discover that something we used to be so sure of may not align with what we discover as we faithfully love and follow the Truth.
- Sincere walking in the Truth; i.e., loving Truth enough to follow Him in loving obedience.
