CHURCHES and the CAUSE of TRUTH? | Message of 3 John

Os Guinness writes, “‘ The truth shall set you free” may be the most popular university motto across the Western world, but while the text still adorns the walls, the truth no longer animates the minds.” Time For Truth, p. 11. It is true. Most universities in the Western world have long since abandoned the truth or even the acknowledgment that such a thing exists. On the other hand, does that statement by our Lord, belong to the universities? Was the cause of truth ever given to institutions of so-called higher learning? No, the cause of truth was given to Christ’s Church. This statement is ours because it was given to us by OUR Savior and we are those whom the truth of God has indeed set free. Jesus prayed for the Church in His John 17 prayer and He prayed that we might be kept by the Father in the truth. And, if there is any doubt about what the truth is, Jesus, answers that too, “Thy Word is truth.” The brief letter before us today addresses again the problem of Gnostic mysticism and those who try to sneak it into the churches of God. This time John deals with it not from the vantage of “knowledge,” or “love,” but from the local church’s mission to be the keepers and teachers of the truth.