How to Describe Your Faith with Two Useful Words
I’m wordy. I don’t believe I’ve ever been succinct. I express my thoughts and emotions with words. Lots of words.
If someone asked you to describe your faith in as few words as possible, what would you say?
I’ve always said, “Jesus.”
He is the One on whom our faith is focused. He is the “who.”
In his 2nd letter, John shared two more words about faith that state the what of faith…
This letter is from John, the elder. I am writing to the [church God has chosen and its members.] whom I love in the truth—as does everyone else who knows the truth— because the truth lives in us and will be with us forever.
Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love.
2 John 1:1–3
Did you catch the words?
Truth and Love!
As in his first letter, John was concerned about false teachers confusing believers and dividing God’s church. Even in John’s day, people were defining personal opinions and preferences as “truth.”
The thing is … there is no such thing as “your truth and my truth.” There is only “the TRUTH.”
The Life Application Bible Notes say…
John declared the existence of an Absolute [Truth]. God is the ultimate standard by which all else can be judged. God is true, His words and ways are true.
Jesus was, is, and will always be “the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6) And He prayed for His followers, saying, “Make them holy by Your truth; teach them Your word, which is truth.” (John 17:17)
John wrote this in his Gospel…
So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
John 1:14
Those who KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST Jesus want to KNOW God’s TRUTH and live in His LOVE!
So, the next question we need to ask is, “How?”
How do we live in God’s love?
Jesus showed us and told us that we are to love the Lord with all we are and reflect His love in the world around us.
So, living out the words about faith (truth and love) means obeying God’s truth by loving like Jesus.
John quoted Jesus saying,
“So now, I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
John 13:34–35
Once again, I haven’t been succinct. But I will hold on to the two important words about faith from John. I will remember that living with faith means living in truth and love.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer to Describe Your Faith
with Truth and Love
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me the gift of faith. Thank you for sending Jesus, the source and foundation of my faith. He came to live among us and show us Your grace, mercy, and love.
He is the Word made Flesh and the only Way to eternal life with You. He is the One who gave us Your Absolute Truth and showed us Your perfect Love.
Your Word instructs me to love like Jesus and tell the world about Him. Because You want everyone to KNOW about Your gracious and merciful love. You want everyone to be saved through faith in Jesus, the Savior.
Please help me share my faith by living boldly with TRUTH and LOVE. When I’m asked to describe my faith, help me proclaim the name of Jesus … the source of the truth and love within me.
By the power of Your Spirit, keep my heart and mind focused on Him. It’s in His name, I pray. Amen.
Max Lucado wrote…
Those in the circle of Christ had no doubt of His love; those in our circles should have no doubt about ours.
And Detrich Bonhoeffer said…
God’s truth judges created things out of love, and Satan’s truth judges them out of envy and hatred.
And we don’t know who said this…
Truth and love are two of the most powerful things in the world; and when they both go together, they cannot easily be withstood.
So, may we live and…
Speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of His body, the church.
Ephesians 4:15
In the future, when I’m asked, “How do you describe your faith?” I will try to be more succinct.
Saying…
I believe Jesus, the Son of God, is my Lord and Savior. He is the source of truth and love forever and always.
Then, I’ll probably add … if you have the time, I’d love to tell you more.
May the Lord give you everything you need to describe your faith with truth and love.
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Truth and love. Two such simple yet infinitely powerful words that describe how Jesus’ wants us to live out our lives. He is the source of both. Blessings, Deb!
Thanks, Martha! I love having simple ways to share my faith that are easy to remember. I appreciate you, dear friend. Your kind comments and friendship are a true blessing!