The Fruit Produced by the Love of Truth

Peter continued, “Love one another fervently with a pure heart.” The Word of God is the channel through which the Lord reveals His Spirit and power. Obedience to the Word produces fruit—“sincere love of the brethren.” When truth becomes a living principle in the life, the person is “born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God” (NRSV). This new birth is the result of receiving Christ as the Word. When the Holy Spirit impresses divine truths on the heart, He awakens new understandings and stirs up energies that had been dormant to help us cooperate with God.ULe 190.8

The Great Teacher spoke many of His most precious lessons to those who did not understand them at the time. After His ascension, when the Holy Spirit brought His teachings to their remembrance, their slumbering senses awoke. The meaning of these truths flashed on their minds as a new revelation. Then the men He had appointed proclaimed the mighty truth, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, ... full of grace and truth.” “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace” (John 1:14, 16).ULe 191.1

The apostle urged the believers to study the Scriptures. Peter realized that every Christian who is finally victorious will experience perplexity and trial. But an understanding of the Scriptures will bring to mind promises that will comfort the heart and strengthen faith in the Mighty One.ULe 191.2

Many to whom Peter addressed his letters were living among the heathen, and much depended on their remaining true to their calling. “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. ...ULe 191.3

“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.”ULe 191.4