“When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped Him. ‘You really are the Son of God!’ they exclaimed.” (Matthew 14:32-33 NLT)
On many levels the love of God is validated and enabled to be seen more clearly in and through the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus. For one, because He is Truth incarnate, but also because He’s the embodiment of love. Love and truth aren’t opposites, they are partners in illustrating and magnifying who Jesus is and why He came to planet earth.
Sometimes in our humanity we get tripped up in sharing truth in a loving way. Somehow, we believe if we can hit someone over the head with the “hammer of truth,” they’ll suddenly see what’s taken us years to see – that Jesus really is the Son of God!
There’s a lot of fiction in the “truth” we’re being told about many things today, not the least of which is the whole scope of sexual identity. John Stonestreet wrote: “Anyone who insists that there are truths of a higher order, particularly truths that establish sexual morality and identity, will become a target of those who are blinded by today’s ideologies. Fifty-years ago, Francis Schaeffer explained, ‘No totalitarian authority nor authoritarian state can tolerate those who have an absolute by which to judge that state and its actions.’
The refusal to live by lies subverts the required certainty in the new orthodoxy. For the sake of our neighbors, all who believe in the importance of truth must continue to say so. We cannot beat ideological opponents into conformity, and it is sinful to try. We’ll have to say what is true, even when there is a cost. We’ll have to remind the world of the beautiful legacy of the Judeo-Christian view of humanity and the world. We’ll have to hold together truth with love.”
There are dozens of arenas in which we must fight the battle for Truth, none more important than in our own life. Satan’s strategy is admirable in some ways. He doesn’t try to reason with us that we shouldn’t eat fruits and veggies, he just tempts us with chocolate cake and milkshakes. It can accomplish the same end, just makes us think it’s our call to do what feels good for us.
Understandably, the world is falling in line with God’s plan and purpose, but in the meantime those of us who are seeking to follow the Lord Jesus are often caught in the enemy’s crosshairs. Sharing Truth in love is getting harder and harder. As hearts get harder, the Truth seems more unbelievable, especially when it comes to something as personal as sexual preference and identity.
To explain to someone who loves their same-sex partner or believes they were born in the wrong body that God loves them, but their lifestyle is unacceptable in His sight is literally inconceivable to them. In some ways it’s like someone telling me I married the wrong woman or, at least, should not be married at all.
The issue, of course, isn’t what God thinks or allows, it’s what is pleasing to me and how I see things. I have “my” truth and you have yours, but you’re wrong and I’m right! And the weaker my argument the louder my voice of opposition.
In the loudness of the lies of the cultural moment in which we live, the more valuable and needed is the love of God embodied in His loving Truth-tellers. Holy Father, help us be your loving voice of Truth.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 