Love of the truth

“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12.

“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” Matthew 24:12.

People who do not receive the love of the truth, that they can be saved, will be sent strong delusion that they believe the lie. They have pleasure in unrighteousness . They do not believe the word of God and its commandments, nor take heed to its judgements. There is no future or hope for such. They are strongly deluded and believe the lie that has been perpetuated from the beginning, namely: “The others are to blame,” “I have no sin,” and “I’m right.” Those who have this mindset deceive themselves. They make God out to be a liar, and the truth is not in them. (1 John 1:8,10.) This is incredible darkness.

The lie began with Adam and Eve. Satan deceived Eve through her reasoning, and she ate the forbidden fruit. She also gave some to Adam to eat. When confronted by God about it, Adam blamed Eve and God for his own disobedience, saying, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” Genesis 3:1-12. Could Adam have obeyed God’s commandment, and not be influenced by Eve?

People continue behaving like this today, blaming and accusing the others, as Satan continues to influence them through their human reasoning. Satan is also called the “Accuser.”

People seek their own and exalt themselves against the knowledge of God by listening to the counsel of their soul. There are always problems, unrest, lack of unity and lack of fellowship. You can clearly see the manifestation of this in the political arena, social unrest, racism, divorces, splits, divisions, and factions even in Christian assemblies. People are given over to the spirit of accusation – not a pleasant future for those who listen to the Accuser. Nothing gets built up, but only torn down.

But, those who walk in the light (the truth) as Jesus is in the light, they have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus cleanses them of sin. (John 1:17.) Those who have been chosen by God, the members of Christ’s earthly body, and who take part in salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth, have a glorious future and hope. They obtain the glory of Jesus Christ, His virtues. (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14.)

God’s Word works in them to divide between soul and spirit, thoughts and intents of the heart, and divides joints and marrow, revealing their human strength. They can humble themselves and acknowledge the truth about themselves. (Hebrews 4:12-13.)

They can acknowledge, like Paul, that there is nothing good in the flesh; not a single thing that can be used by God to build up the body of Christ. They see themselves as wretched and in need of grace (God’s power). They see that it is only in the virtues of Christ that they can accomplish anything good. They stretch out in the faith of Jesus to obedience to God’s will. The death of Christ works in them so that the life of Christ can be manifested in the midst of all the trials and situations of life that they encounter. (Romans 7:18; 2 Corinthians 4:7-12.)

A fragrance of life comes forth from them. (2 Corinthians 2:14.) God gives them everlasting consolation and hope by grace, and is able to comfort their hearts and establish them in every good word and work. (2 Thessalonians 2:10-17.) Paul prayed for those who loved the truth and continued in obedience, that the Lord would direct their hearts into the love of God and the patience of Christ. (2 Thessalonians 3:4-5.) Those who are given to the obedience of faith and love of the truth have a fantastic effect on those they are together with.

“Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” 1 Timothy 4:16.