What the Bible says about Faithfulness to Truth
(From Forerunner Commentary)
We overcome lying because God mercifully but forcefully brings it to our attention by revealing His truth. When we submit to His truth rather than our self-deceptions, we are beginning to overcome.
Commentators suggest an alternative translation of this verse: "By loyalty and faithfulness one escapes evil." The sense is that loyalty and faithfulness to God's truth are essential elements to escaping the second death. Obeying truth does not forgive sin, but it plays a part in cleaning our minds of the garbage of bad habits lodged in our character so that we are less likely to involve ourselves in sin. God's truth says we must not bear false witness, and that must be obeyed!
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Ninth Commandment (1997)Related Topics: Bearing False Witness | Faithfulness | Faithfulness to God's Truth | Faithfulness to Truth | Loyalty | Lying | Ninth Commandment | Self Deception | The Ninth Commandment | Truth
John appeals to the brethren to hold fast to the truth that they had been taught since their calling. To "abide" in the Son and the Father means to remain faithful to God's way of life, grow spiritually, and become more and more like God (John 15:4-6).The only way we can do this is by remaining faithful to the truth of God that the apostles taught from the church's founding. To those who remain faithful to His way, God has promised eternal life (I John 2:25).
Earl L. Henn
For the Perfecting of the SaintsRelated Topics: Abiding in Christ | Eternal Life | Faithfulness | Faithfulness to Truth | Hold Fast to the Truth | Holding Fast | Steadfastness