DIGESTED TURTH

In John’s third Epistle, he gives a shout-out to Gaius because of his Christ-following character. “Some of the brothers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living in the truth” (3 John 3 NLT). 

The truth was in Gaius, and Gaius lived the truth. If the first had not been true, the second could never have occurred. Therefore, if the second could not be said of him the first would have been a mere misrepresentation of the truth. Truth must enter into the depths of your being, penetrate and saturate it, or it is of no value. Doctrines held as a matter of devotion are like bread in the hand, which provides no nourishment to the body. But doctrine accepted by the heart, is like food that has been digested. It is absorbed sustaining and building up the body. 
 
So it is for Christ-followers that truth must be a living force, an active energy, an indwelling reality, a part of the fabric of our lives. If it is in us, we won’t be without it. A person can lose their clothes or and arm or a leg, but their inward parts are so vital to their existence, and cannot be torn away without absolute disruption of life. A Christ-follower can die, but he or she cannot deny the truth.
 
There is a rule of nature that the inside affects the outside. Just as light shines from the center of a light bulb through the glass— so too, truth radiates from within, its brightness will show up in your outward life and conversation. It is said that the food of silk worms colors the cocoons which they spin. Whatever you take in to feed your soul is a nutrient upon which your inward nature lives and gives a tint too every word and deed that proceeds from you. 
 
To live in the truth, implies a life of integrity, holiness, faithfulness, and simplicity. The natural product of those principles of truth which the gospel teaches and enables us to receive comes from the Spirit of God Himself. It is only possible to judge the secrets of the soul by their demonstration in a person’s conversation. O gracious Holy Spirit, may it be ours today to ingest and live the truth of Your Word.

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