November 28, Morning
C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling
"For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth." — 3 John 1:3 · KJV
The truth was in Gaius, and Gaius walked in the truth. If the first had not been so, the second could never have happened; and if the second could not be said of him, the first would have been mere pretense. Truth must enter the soul, penetrate and saturate it, or it is of no value. Doctrines held only as a matter of creed are like bread in the hand, which gives no nourishment to the frame; but doctrine accepted by the heart is like food digested, which by assimilation sustains and builds up the body. In us, truth must be a living force, an active energy, an indwelling reality, part of the very warp and woof of our being. If it is in us, we can never part with it. A man may lose his clothes or his limbs, but his inward parts are vital, and cannot be torn away without absolute loss of life. A Christian can die, but he cannot deny the truth. Now it is a rule of nature that the inward affects the outward, as light shines from the center of the lantern through the glass; so when the truth is kindled within, its brightness soon beams forth in the outward life and conversation. It is said that the food of certain worms colors the silk cocoons they spin; and just so, the nourishment on which a man's inner nature lives gives a tinge to every word and deed that proceeds from him. To walk 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 which the Spirit of God enables us to receive. We may judge the secrets of the soul by their showing in a man's conversation. Be it ours today, O gracious Spirit, to be ruled and governed by Your divine authority, so that nothing false or sinful may reign in our hearts, lest it spread its malignant influence to our daily walk among men.