The Love of the Truth

The apostle Paul warns of the dangers of not receiving a “love for the truth.” He says some will perish “because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved” (2 Thessalonians 2:10). It’s important for us to love the truth of God’s word. It’s the truth that sets us free (John 8:31, 32). What does this have to do with encouragement? Good question! Let’s see if we can answer it.

I suppose there are different kinds of love for the truth. There are some who love the truth and bristle in anger at anything that appears to be, or is, in fact, not the truth. However, in the absence of what is false, they don’t appear to really love the truth. It’s almost as though they love the defense of the truth more than the truth itself. Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t at all mean that the defense of the truth is not important. It is vital! There are others who love to hear the truth, but are not interested in defending it. They are quite content to let everyone think what they want or even to claim to have a different truth. They know the real truth, but if someone else want to think something else is true, that’s up to the him. Then there are those who truly love the truth so as to be saved. They are passionate about the truth of God’s word and are constantly reading it, studying it, and meditating upon it. They are passionate about its defense, but when there is no threat, they revel in its precepts.

As I started writing these thoughts down, I was trying to think of an illustration that would explain what I mean. It occurred to me that when we’re speaking of a love for anything, a marriage relationship might have some value as an example. I love my wife and would defend her with my life. However, in the absence of a threat to her, I still love her. I don’t spend my time on endless patrol away from her presence, making sure there is no threat, but by the same token, I’m not the least bit ambivalent about what others think about her. If you have something ugly to say about her, I would suggest you not say it, or at least not where I can hear you.

The love for the truth so as to be saved should be a passionate love for God’s Word. It should be a relationship with the Scriptures and with God Himself about which you are passionate. If there is a threat to it, such is met decisively and without hesitation, yet lovingly considering that there are eternal souls involved. If there is no threat, there should be a joyous relationship and reveling in the truth of God’s Word.

Now, for the answer to the question I asked above: what has this to do with encouragement? In any kind of a struggle, the most discouraging thing is the perception that you fight alone. However, when a faithful Christian find himself in the fellowship and company of other faithful Christians who also love the truth so as to be saved, it’s a most encouraging thing! Good friends, we are not in this fight alone. Of course, if we are faithful to Him, God is on our side and that’s all we really need, but He’s not all we have. Through His grace and wisdom, He has given us a family, a fellowship of like-minded people who love the truth so as to be saved. And I want you to know, when you are in the company of these fellow bond-servants of Jesus Christ, you cannot help but be encouraged if you will think on these things.

After warning of what would happen to those who do not love the truth so as to be saved, look at what Paul had to say of those who do: “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-15). Take those words to heart and know they are written and spoken of you, if you are faithful to our heavenly Father. Know that He loves you and so do I.

Donnie Bates

Seasoned with Salt

“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person” (Colossians 4:6). I have in the past made reference to the need for us to encourage one another with the right kind of speech. The apostle Paul gives this command in Ephesians 4:29: “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” It’s important that we be careful how we speak to one another and what we say when we do.

This morning, however, I want to make a slightly different point from Colossians 4:6 to help encourage you and get this week off to a great start. My encouragement to you is to encourage you to encourage others. Make a special effort this week to be a blessing in someone else’s life. We read in Romans 15:1-3: “Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.’”

Everyone should understand that the weak have need to be strengthened and that it’s the responsibility of the strong to provide that strength. We should be trying to build up those who need encouraging. This is the example that Jesus left us to follow. Here is the point I want to make. If you will assume this role (the role of encourager or edifier), you will yourself be encouraged and edified in the process. It’s a wonderful cycle that God designed for us.

It fits in perfectly with Paul’s assertion when he quoted Jesus that “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). When we focus more on the blessing of giving, in this case, giving encouragement, we make ourselves better able to receive encouragement. Those who are focused on themselves have a very hard time getting any kind of encouragement, even the genuine and sincere encouragement they receive from those who love them and care for them. No matter how good the encouragement is, it’s never enough. Bitterness is often the result of such selfishness. On the other hand, the one who forgets himself and his own needs and focuses on the needs of others, very often finds himself (or herself) receiving encouragement from even unexpected quarters. It feels good to make others feel good!

This week, I want you to try really hard to season your speech with salt. Speak to those who need your encouragement in such a way that they are built up and not torn down. To season your speech with salt is to speak in such a way as to preserve rather than to destroy. It could be to preserve a relationship. or it could be in reference to preserving someone unto salvation, sharing with that person the words of life. Even if your life is filled with intense pain, your ministry to others in this way will give you strength and you will be encouraged more than those to whom you minister. Being a blessing to others is a win-win situation for the faithful Christian. Isn’t it great that God made us this way? He did that because He loves you and I wanted to know because I do, too.

djb