What Will The Truth Say About Me?

3 John 1:12
Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone —and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.

New Living Translation
Everyone speaks highly of Demetrius, as does the truth itself. We ourselves can say the same for him, and you know we speak the truth.

Contemporary English Version
Everyone speaks well of Demetrius, and so does the true message that he teaches. I also speak well of him, and you know what I say is true.

Good News Translation
Everyone speaks well of Demetrius; truth itself speaks well of him. And we add our testimony, and you know that what we say is true.

This is Apostle John’s third letter. This letter seems to be addressed to a church leader named Gaius. This church leader is also referred to as a friend to John. In this brief letter that carries the inspired word of God, two people with opposite characters are mentioned. 3 John 1:9 introduces Diotrephes an attention seeker, whose attention-seeking has negatively impacted the church. 3 John 1:12 is our text today and it introduces Demetrius as a good man.

Demetrius is said to be so good a man that the testimony of his goodness is obvious. John tells Gaius that everyone speaks well of Demetrius. John tells Gaius that even he himself speaks well of Demetrius. Not just John but also all the leaders who are with John. John emphasizes that these testimonies are true. It is important to be spoken well of by everyone. It is important that even your enemies should lack something genuine against you so that by their fake fabrications against you, you will be spoken well of. Ecclesiastes 7:1 tells us that a good name is better. When our lives end, our attainments will never surpass our name. A good name will remain above all else. Not a good name of fame, for being famous is always short-lived. A good name of a consistent uncompromising character of a genuine Christian.

1 Peter 2:12
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Demetrius had a good name. Leaders including John spoke well about him. Everyone including his enemies had no option but to speak well of him. As Peter’s epistle cited above suggests, you can be so good to the extent of defeating the purposes of your enemies. Demetrius was so good that his enemies’ negative opinions, rumors, etc. were not taken seriously by anyone. What catches our attention beyond all these is that even the truth spoke well about Demetrius. Not someone called truth, but truth itself. From this inspired text, we are made aware that truth speaks. Truth spoke well of Demetrius. What will the truth say about me?

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

What is the truth that speaks well of Demetrius? This truth can be interpreted in many correct ways, but this is the most important. Jesus Christ is the truth. When the truth speaks well of you, it is Jesus Christ speaking well of you. The Bible tells us in Luke 12:8-9 that Jesus speaks for us in heaven if we do not fear to speak for Him before people. Demetrius must have been bold and courageous in speaking for Jesus, that John was inspired to confirm that Jesus was consequently speaking well about him in heaven. Jesus who is the truth spoke well about him. Truth spoke well of Demetrius. What will the truth say about me?

Am I bold enough, courageous enough as I speak for Jesus? Can it be said that I am not ashamed of Jesus and His gospel? Jesus only promised to speak for those who confidently speak for Him. Jesus is the truth. Truth spoke well of Demetrius. What will the truth say about me?

Truth can also be interpreted to be the correct outcome of a case that we are involved in. When investigations are done, witnesses listened to and pieces of evidence assessed, then truth becomes apparent. Therefore in a straightforward genuine case, the end is when the truth comes out. When the truth comes out, liars are negatively exposed and the good people are vindicated. At the end of a case, the truth will speak. Will truth condemn you or vindicate you? What will the truth say about you? Truth spoke well of Demetrius. What will the truth say about me?

Jesus is the truth. A conclusion of a case brings out the truth. Truth also comes over time. We often hear people saying that time will tell. Some truths are hidden in the chaos and darkness of the present situations. The present moment may be stormy and dusty that truth becomes a victim. However over time, the fog clears, the darkness goes, the storm ceases and the dust settles, then the truth becomes visible. At this point, the truth speaks and all the untruths that reigned in the chaos become exposed. Over time the truth speaks. Truth spoke well of Demetrius. What will the truth say about me?

Truth is also what is confirmed as correct, in relation to what you say, preach, and teach. When further studies are done, do our teachings and sermons and speeches remain true? Do your prophecies and conspiracy theories remain true when further information is available? Are your teachings consistent with biblical doctrine? Once confirmation is made, the truth comes out, truth speaks. Truth spoke well of Demetrius. What will the truth say about me?

Truth is when our lifestyle matches our beliefs. The truth of what we believe is in what we practice. Truth is in what we drink after preaching water. Are you immoral after condemning immorality? Are you corrupt after condemning corruption? Are you faithful after condemning unfaithfulness? The truth of what we say is in the practice of our daily life. The truth speaks in our practices. Truth spoke well of Demetrius. What will the truth say about me?

Demetrius must have been so bold in speaking for Jesus, that it could be confidently concluded that Jesus who is the truth spoke for him. The truth spoke in his favor. Demetrius may have found himself in cases and accusations that sought to tarnish his name. At the end of the cases, he was vindicated. Truth spoke well about him. Demetrius may have suffered a hate campaign or false accusations against him that couldn’t be tried in a fair process. However, over time it became clearer that he was right and his detractors were wrong. Truth over time spoke well about him. What Demetrius preached when cross-checked with scriptures and even other good Bible students, was found to be true. Truth spoke well about him. The lifestyle of Demetrius was consistent with his beliefs, therefore this truth spoke well about him. Truth spoke well of Demetrius. What will the truth say about me?

In matters of your faith, what does the truth say about you? In matters of your employment and business, what does the truth say about you? In your relationships and even marriage, what does the truth say about you? In your academic pursuits, what does the truth say about you? In wrangles, contests, disagreements, and quarrels that you find yourself in, what does the truth say about you? Truth spoke well of Demetrius. What will the truth say about me?

If the truth about my wealth came out, what will the truth say about me? If the truth about my academic success came out, what will the truth say about me? If the truth about my past and present relationships came out, what will the truth say about me? If the truth about my marriage came out, what will the truth say about me? If the truth about my single life came out, what will the truth say about me? If the truth about some things I treasure in life came out, what will the truth say about me? If secrets and motives were exposed, what will the truth say about me? Truth spoke well of Demetrius. What will the truth say about me?

I have one prayer today dear God, May the truth speak well about me now and forevermore, in Jesus’ name, Amen!