The Truth Which Must Be Done

5:19-20 My brothers, if any among you wanders from the truth and if anyone turns him again to the right way, let him know that he who has turned a sinner from his wandering way will save his brothel's soul from death and will hide a multitude of his own sins.

In this passage there is set down the great differentiating characteristic of Christian truth. It is something from which a man can wander. It is not only intellectual, philosophical and abstract; it is always moral truth.

This comes out very clearly when we go to the New Testament and look at the expressions which are used in connection with truth. Truth is something which a man must love ( 2 Thessalonians 2:10 ); it is something which a man must obey ( Galatians 5:7 ); it is something which a man must display in life ( 2 Corinthians 4:2 ); it is something which must be spoken in love ( Ephesians 4:15 ); it is something which must be witnessed to ( John 18:37 ); it is something which must be manifested in a life of love ( 1 John 3:19 ); it is something which liberates ( John 8:32 ); and it is something which is the gift of the Holy Spirit, sent by Jesus Christ ( John 16:13-14 ).

Clearest of all is the phrase in John 3:21 , he who does what is true. That is to say, Christian truth is something which must be done. It is not only the object of the search of the mind; it is always moral truth issuing in action. It is not only something to be studied but something to be done; not only something to which a man must submit only his mind but something to which he must submit his whole life.