By God’s people always have the upper hand in dealing with the troubles of this life. This is because of the “Perfect Partnership” between Truth and Love that defines all of our lives. This Perfect Partnership is foundational to our spiritual worship but also has some principles of relevance to our physical lives.
Spiritual growth is optimised when we learn to “speak the truth in love”. The “Perfect Partnership” of Truth about God, ourselves, salvation, this world, and everything else in life (2 Cor 4:2), and of Love as we do to others what we would have them do to us (Luk 6:31)) is indeed the only way in which we grow spiritually. Lies and half-truths do not build up. Neither do ulterior motives and selfishness. Instead “Truth in Love” is the standard that defines Christians.
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,Ephesians 4:15 (ESV)
Although this is about spiritual growth, church service, and worship, the same principle underlies the way in which we live in this world during trying times. Truth, not rumours, and Love, not selfishness, is the standard by which we as Christians ought to live in a world of trouble.
We believe in truth, therefore we do not believe every rumour spread by social media. We love the truth, therefore we do not chase after the most sensational story. We are known for truth, therefore we do not spread things that we have not first tested to see if it is trustworthy. It makes us slower to react emotionally, slower to speak (and type!), and quicker to listen to the real concerns (Jam 1:19).
We also practise love. We love our neighbour when we serve them with the same interest and care as we do ourselves (Gal 5:13-15). We love those around us when put aside all selfishness, and consider the concerns of others (Phil 2:3-4). We love when we are patient, kind, not insisting on our own way, not arrogant, hoping all things, and enduring all things (1 Cor 13:4-7).
As you live in a time where rumours and selfishness abound, be known for the “Perfect Partnership” of “truth in love”.