Love for the Truth

There is an ongoing joke that Candice and I have talked about ever since we were dating in high school. Every so often we marvel at the uniqueness of each other. There are some things that each of us do that are so distinguishable that we say “If ever you have to pick me out of a group of people that look like me and you need to verify which one is really me, just ask me …..” and then we state something unique about ourselves that only the other person would know.

The other night at youth group we were talking about the whole essence of debate and how it seems confusing at times. There are certain things that we think are wrong or right so we argue for or against them but we have a hard time really gaining some footing about our belief. So, the question is, how can we be confident and coherent to boldly discuss our beliefs on all matters with others who oppose it? I want to start with an example:

Let’s say that some villain kidnapped Candice, put a veil over her, and placed her into a group of one thousand other women. Let’s also say that I knew she was in the room but could not tell from outside appearance which one was her. How would I find her? Well, I would begin by asking each of the women a personal question that only Candice would know. “Where did we go on our honeymoon?” I would ask. Many of the women would not be able to answer the question correctly and I could quickly separate those women from the one I was really looking for. But perhaps there were 5 women left. 1 was telling the truth and the others made a very good guess or perhaps had studied the history of Candice and my relationship . I could then ask another personal question. “Why did we get married on the day that we did?” and I would likely receive only 1 true answer. This veiled woman who answered correctly both times would certainly be Candice. What seemed to be a daunting task is actually quite easy because I know Candice so well.

The thing about Candice and my relationship is that we love each other and we have taken the time to know about each other. We know intimate details. We know each other’s likes and dislikes and past experiences. Because of this, it is extremely easy for me to boldly and comfortably carry on a conversation about who Candice is. If someone were to tell me that Candice does not like milk, I could easily counter argue that statement and provide numerous examples of why Candice does like milk and convince others of this fact along the way. It would be an injustice if that person were to continue to spread the lie that Candice doesn’t like milk because I know it is completely false and 

false statements lead others down a destructive path

. That is why it is so important that we are prepared to rebuke and correct others with the truth when false statements are made.

My love for knowing about Candice should be, at the very least, the same as our love for God. What does Jesus say is the greatest commandment?

"Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind

. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 

Matthew 22:34-40

If we were to really keep this commandment then we would have a relationship with God that is even deeper than what Candice and I have with each other. We would know with a great deal of confidence who God really is and we would know with great confidence the manner in which we should live our lives regardless of the circumstances that arise. Anyone who speaks against the truth that we have could easily and boldly be corrected just as I could easily correct someone who said that Candice does not like milk. We are instructed numerous times throughout the Bible to be very diligent in our learning about the truth of what God is revealing to us.

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Matthew 10:16-20

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." 

1 Peter 3:15-16

So, the question now is, how much faith do you have that Jesus really is the Son of God? Do you believe it so strongly that you are willing to live by His commands at all costs? Will you do what is right even if it leads to death? If your answer is “Yes” then you are a truly in Christ. If you are unsure, then I would strongly encourage you to build up your faith and become certain that Jesus really is the Son of God and that what Jesus commands us to do or not to do is the ultimate and sole standard for how we should live our lives. Once you have established this as your foundation then you will have the strength and endurance to speak the truth to others who need to hear it and you will no longer be confused. No matter what argument is made, you can compare it to the clear standard of what you know as truth and then identify the shaky foundation of the other person’s argument.

In this life you will have numerous debates over a wide array of topics. I strongly encourage you to invest your time now in learning the truth so that when these debates come up in life, you will be able to guard your heart and reveal the gospel to others who need it.

Below is one of my favorite verses that shows Christ as the rock that we are to put all of our beliefs on. Other beliefs will blow against it and beat on it but the house will remain firm because it is based on truth.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” 

Matthew 7:24-27