The Inseparability of Truth and Love
This Christmas I was in need of a new pair of PJ's. Since I spend a decent amount of time in them, I wear them out every few years. We were doing some Christmas shopping online, so I added a cute pair of PJ bottoms from Gap that have the word "love" written all over them in cursive. So sweet. Love. Yes, that's how I feel about sleep, but that is a discussion for a different time.
In our society there is this idea that love triumphs all. Love has been used for political slogans of late. It has been thrown all over clothing and commercials of those with a lifestyle that is contrary to God's Word. We throw it around like its the cure all for every ailment, and yet society continues to spiral down. Shootings are more common, racial violence continue to be a saddening problem, and the behavior of elected officials on both sides is becoming more and more debased. All the while "love" is being touted as the way forward.
Why do we see this? Because society's version of love is not grounded in anything. It's a constantly moving target.
God's version of love is grounded in HIM and HIS truth.
Love and truth are inseparable according to Scripture. There is no room for a squishy definition of love for the Christian. Love is grounded in the character of God, which does not change. His character is what we are shown throughout Scripture. We cannot separate a definition from it's author. Sure, society can try, but it's not working out well.
In the books of 1,2,3 John we are constantly reminded of the inseparability of truth and love. He writes in 2 John 1- To the Elect Lady, who I love in truth. Love in truth. Hmmmm. The word love is used 21 times total in these books and the word truth comes in a close second at 20. In other words, the "love books" aren't just about love.
Can you love apart from truth? We can try, but the agape love that we are commanded is grounded in the character of God. Jesus told us in John 13:34 "A new commandment I give you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you love one another."
But the fruit of the Spirit is Love, you ask? Yes, and Jesus clearly refers to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of truth in John 14:17, in the verses that introduce the Holy Spirit to His followers.
OK, why is this so important? Love grounded in truth keeps us from extremes. First of all, it keeps us from throwing around love as the cure-all for everything. It puts good and right guardrails on either side and keeps us in check. But it also keeps us from extremes in our grasp of truth. Truth can easily be used as a weapon to beat another person with. Holding onto truth without allowing love to be the outcome makes us into Pharisees, and we misrepresent our God when we behave this way.
As a Christian, we must hold on tightly to the truth of God's Word, but we also must allow the fruit of love to be born from it, not the fruit of self-righteous piety. It's common for individuals to have a leaning toward either extreme, because to be honest, we find comfort in the extremes.
This year, let's hold on tightly to truth with one hand and as we keep an open hand toward others, loving them well because of the truth we walk in.
In our society there is this idea that love triumphs all. Love has been used for political slogans of late. It has been thrown all over clothing and commercials of those with a lifestyle that is contrary to God's Word. We throw it around like its the cure all for every ailment, and yet society continues to spiral down. Shootings are more common, racial violence continue to be a saddening problem, and the behavior of elected officials on both sides is becoming more and more debased. All the while "love" is being touted as the way forward.
Why do we see this? Because society's version of love is not grounded in anything. It's a constantly moving target.
God's version of love is grounded in HIM and HIS truth.
Love and truth are inseparable according to Scripture. There is no room for a squishy definition of love for the Christian. Love is grounded in the character of God, which does not change. His character is what we are shown throughout Scripture. We cannot separate a definition from it's author. Sure, society can try, but it's not working out well.
In the books of 1,2,3 John we are constantly reminded of the inseparability of truth and love. He writes in 2 John 1- To the Elect Lady, who I love in truth. Love in truth. Hmmmm. The word love is used 21 times total in these books and the word truth comes in a close second at 20. In other words, the "love books" aren't just about love.
Can you love apart from truth? We can try, but the agape love that we are commanded is grounded in the character of God. Jesus told us in John 13:34 "A new commandment I give you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you love one another."
But the fruit of the Spirit is Love, you ask? Yes, and Jesus clearly refers to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of truth in John 14:17, in the verses that introduce the Holy Spirit to His followers.
OK, why is this so important? Love grounded in truth keeps us from extremes. First of all, it keeps us from throwing around love as the cure-all for everything. It puts good and right guardrails on either side and keeps us in check. But it also keeps us from extremes in our grasp of truth. Truth can easily be used as a weapon to beat another person with. Holding onto truth without allowing love to be the outcome makes us into Pharisees, and we misrepresent our God when we behave this way.
As a Christian, we must hold on tightly to the truth of God's Word, but we also must allow the fruit of love to be born from it, not the fruit of self-righteous piety. It's common for individuals to have a leaning toward either extreme, because to be honest, we find comfort in the extremes.
This year, let's hold on tightly to truth with one hand and as we keep an open hand toward others, loving them well because of the truth we walk in.