³For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. ⁴I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

While John is not afraid to speak assertively about false teachers, he does not hold back in his praise for those who continue to embrace truth. Gaius is a prime example of the latter, while Diotrephes (whom John writes about shortly in verses 9–10) exemplifies the former. Today, the apostle would not fit well into some Christian circles, where doctrine and theology are considered divisive topics or subjects reserved for stuffy academics. Christians, we are told, should stop fighting over our differences. After all, no less than the apostle Peter (also inspired by the Holy Spirit) wrote: “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).

But Peter did not write to nullify the importance of truth; love does not cover a multitude of doctrinal errors, not even one. He writes even more extensively than John on his denunciation of false teachers:

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned . . . (2 Peter 2:1–2, also read the rest of that chapter)

Gaius is not one of those false teachers. The apostle John rejoices in his faithfulness to walk not only in love but in truth undergirding that love. We err if we picture the early church as a pristine, euphoric community that didn’t fight over doctrine. In all ages, God raises up those who stand for biblical truth, whose interpretations are legitimate and accurate, who are not motivated or intoxicated by power and privilege or the sensual desires of the flesh. Gaius understood that both love and truth are needed.

At the same time, Gaius understood that truth alone is not enough, just like building a house is more than constructing the foundation. He not only believed and embraced true doctrine, but he also walked in the truth. Gaius lived it. This man was no armchair theologian—he practiced what he believed. Genuine Christian love cannot exist without the truth, and truth stagnates without love. Too many churches hold onto their “right” doctrine with pride and alienate others because they lack love. We need more Christians like the beloved Gaius.

Lord, help me in my quest to know truth, to also walk in the truth.