TRUTH! WHAT IS TRUTH?
Bridging the war between Truth & Love.

A war has been brewing between two Christian world views. Notice I said "between worldviews" and not between Christians. That is because it's ok to debate secondary issues in order to establish a position we can agree on. We bang it out until you agree with me or I agree with you.

Some say "Love is all we need", quoting slogans such as "Love before Truth." The common ideology is that "people don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care."

Others swing the pendulum to the other side and say Truth is the grounds upon which Love must be defined and sought after, for true godly Love cannot be known outside of truth.

I have to agree with the latter. Here's why...

We live in an idolotrous world, where moral relative post-modern views have infiltrated the minds of the masses. Love has become such a relative term that means whatsoever one choses to define. People no longer want love and acceptance, they demand it, and they believe they deserve it. They are lovers of pleasure (self) rather than lovers of God. Many have shaped a god in their own image, a god of "Love" who does not judge, does not punish, does not uphold justice. And as far as they're concerned, they want nothing to do with a God who does. They have made for themselves, a god of "love" defined as all-accepting, non-judgmental, overlooking faults and sinfulness.

Love without truth implies unconditional acceptance and tolerance that does not represent a Holy, just, and vengeful God as is so characterized in scripture. Today's definition of love is anything that makes people feel good about themselves as opposed to anything that might inadvertantly bring shame, guilt, contrition, or change through self-examination brought on by declaring truth.

Perpetrators of the love before truth mentality think the truth hurts too much for this post-modern generation to deal with. The truth is, that according to scripture, it is truth that sets men free.

This mystery has been sought throughout the ages... What is truth? Can the truth be known? Jesus answered the question when He declared, "I Am the Truth..." So it is, that truth can only be found in Christ. The entire Old Testament, all the law and the prophets point to Christ. He is the means through which God's Love, mercy, grace, and redemption are demonstrated. And this is love... not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and demonstrted love by sending His son to atone for our sinfulness... and that is the truth.

The Love of God is in the cross. Sinners will only come face to face with that love when they know the truth... that they have transgressed God's law and are therefore under the condemnation of that law. Only when they see themselves in that light and understand their exceeding sinfulness, will the cross ever make sense... will Love ever be realized, and that is the truth!

How then will they believe if they have not heard, and how will they hear without a preacher? Truth must be declared if they are to know the love He has shown. The love of God was not demonstrated by some kind of unconditional, feel good acceptance. God showed is love by providing redemption and no redemption would have been possible without the cross. ANd the message of the cross must be declared... the truth must be known before the Love of God can be realized.

The notion that God accepts siners "as they are" is just not biblical. There is a condition... 2 Cor. 6:17 “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” The Bible says “the wrath of God abides on them.” When Nahum prophesied against Ninevah, the Lord said “I Am against you…” (2:13 / 3:5) What changed that? REPENTANCE.

The cross is the condition upon which men could be redeemed and forgiven. Granted it is by grace alone, the unmerrited favor of God. But that redemption and forgiveness is a massive condition that only Christ could fulfill on our behalf. Jesus makes it clear... "Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." And this is the truth that will continue to cause men to fall in love with the savior and bow their knee to Him as Lord... that we deserve hell and Jesus paid our fine.

The fact of the matter is that both truth and Love work together, they cannot be seperated or divided. If we love people, we wll tell them the truth, even if we fear the outcome or reaction. This is often misunderstood because we don't understand the nature of the beast... yah, I said beast, but of course I menst mankind. Mankind has a most hideous and evil nature. A nature that so hates God. Light came into the world but men HATED the light because they loved darkness and didn't want their deeds exposed in a righteous environment. Jesus said, "the world hates me, becasue I testify that it's deeds are evil." Therefore we should not be surprised by angry or offended reactions when we declare the truth. In fact, if I don't see some kind of reaction when I preach or witness to the lost, I don't feel I'm doing it right. Because the sinful nature hates God, they are enemies of God through the wickedness in their minds. Their hearts are deceitfully wicked. The nature of man is utterly depraved and despises righteousness. Therefore, it's only natural for them to react when the truth about God's righteousness and their sinfulness is conveyed.

A doctor understands this concept well. So does a fitness trainer... No Pain, No Gain! In order to help you, the doctor needs to do things that can very well hurt you. And it's the same with preaching the gospel. It is a piainful process for sinners to come to the knowledge of sin and the damnation they will face if they die in their sin. The truth must hurt, it is an essential part of effective evangelism with lasting results. If a doctor does not set that cast right, the break will not heal right. We must set out to do the same when we evangelize. If we love them, we will administer a good dose of truth so they can know what God did to demonstrate His love for them. The gospel preceeded by the law will effectively communicate truth and love together. One without the other is an incomplete presentation that will cause false conversions and many confusions.

Adios

The Reverend Chris J Curry
www.LivingWatersCanada.com