TRUTH or “LOVE”—Which Comes First?
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Back to By David C. Pack
The apostle John repeatedly taught the importance of both Bible truth and real godly love. To understand the identity of the true Church, it is vital to recognize which one of these is the foundation for the other.
As mentioned, I grew up in a large, respected, well-known church of this world. It was comprised of millions of “believers”—people who believed in and talked about Jesus. No doubt, most of them were sincere. They also talked much about “Christian love.” Many sermons had this topic as their theme. Sometimes it seemed that “Jesus” and “love” were the only two subjects preached.
Of course, these are both critically important topics! The Bible has hundreds of verses that refer to Christ and to the importance of demonstrating real godly love. But I saw that many people had a hollow love, and that no one really believed what Christ taught. No real love was evident in their lives. It was not until later that I learned why.
Does this sound familiar—Christ’s name on people’s lips but the truths that He taught not evident in their lives? Lots of talk about love, but little, if any, being practiced in their lives?
John has been called the “Apostle of Love,” because he spoke about this subject much more than all the other New Testament writers combined. Check any concordance, and you will see this to be true. What is not realized is that he also wrote more about the importance of “truth” than all the other New Testament writers combined. John could as easily have been known as the “Apostle of Truth”! Just a superficial look at his gospel and epistles could leave you wondering if he wrote about anything other than these two subjects. Strangely, despite John’s dozens of references to the importance of truth, this emphasis is ignored by almost everyone!
In God’s infinite wisdom, He knew that He could not have one apostle stress TRUTH and a different one stress LOVE. This would have more easily left the impression that people could “choose their favourite apostle,” depending upon whether they felt truth or love deserved greater emphasis. (This kind of division plagued the Corinthian Church – I Cor. 1:10-14.) The result is that each group would feel superior to the other because it has the “more proper” emphasis. Many denominations today feel that they merely need to stress love, with little emphasis on correct doctrine. The churches that think this way have a well-honed set of passages they use in an attempt to establish their position.
Contents
The Role of Love
Two of the most frequently quoted verses in the Bible come from John. Both speak about love. John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” People who know little—or nothing—about the Bible usually know of this verse.
John 13:34-35 states, “A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one to another.” It is easy to see, from just these two passages, why so many believe they are Christians if they just “have love”—all the while feeling no need to be concerned about right doctrines or truth. Notice the phrase, “By this [love] shall all men know that you are My disciples.” It is true that an outward demonstration of love does make an important impression on people. In a selfish, unhappy, confused world, people practicing love—the way of give, of out-going concern, instead of get—do stand out from all those around them!
A basic question arises. How does Christ know if you are His disciple? We are not asking how MEN know, but how CHRIST knows. John also answers, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If you continue in My word, then are you My disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).
Did you notice the phrase “IF you continue in My word, then are you My disciples…”? This is a key point! (We will see later how love is connected to this.) “Continuing in His word”—remaining free of error—signifies to Christ that we are His disciples.
This is what Christ looks for!
The Role of Truth
Holding fast to truth would never be a sign to men. People are usually turned off by what true Christians believe “because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Rom. 8:7). The truth is not attractive to anyone not called by God. However, seeing people show genuine concern for one another turns no one off and is attractive to all. Anyone reading this booklet, who doubts this, may attempt to “cast” a few “pearls” (of truth) at someone (Matt. 7:6). Watch the reaction. Then try showing love to them when they do not expect it. The lesson will be learned.
Consider! True Christians are led by the Holy Spirit—called the “Comforter” and the “Spirit of truth” (John 14:16-17; 15:26; 16:13). This same Spirit of truth “will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). That is the only Church where both God’s Spirit of truth and the Christian can be “comfortable.” The Holy Spirit will also lead all true Christians into the knowledge of real godly love. Galatians 5:22 reveals that love is a “fruit of the Spirit.” Romans 5:5 explains that such fruit is possible in a Christian’s mind only because God’s Spirit has put it there.
Romans 13:10 states, “Love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Also see I John 5:3.) It will be clear to others that you have love, because they will see you fulfilling God’s laws toward your fellow man. Understanding real Christian love—what it is—how it is expressed—its relationship to law—its part in being the light of the world—is in itself also a great truth!
Examine an important verse: “He that says, I know Him, and keeps not His COMMANDMENTS, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (I John 2:4). I Jn 2:5 speaks about people who claim to be Christians—to “know Him”—but who neither keep the commandments nor have “truth” in them. The world is filled with professing Christians who claim to “know Jesus in their heart” but who have no interest whatsoever in understanding the true doctrines of the Bible. Now, focus carefully on Christ’s words: “But whoso keeps HIS [Christ’s] WORD; in him [that person] verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him.”
Real love cannot be perfected in those who are not keeping Christ’s word—the truth. The true love of God is only perfected in people who ARE doing this! Remember John 8:31. God’s servants must “continue in” or “keep” God’s word. The Greek word for “keep,” tereo, means “to watch or to guard (from loss or injury) by keeping the eye upon…to detain in custody.” Will you determine to keep the truths of God’s Word in your “custody”? Will you then be prepared to “guard” it from “loss or injury”? Are you becoming convicted about keeping your “eyes” continually upon it? If so, then you will later be “sanctified” by that Word of truth (John 17:17). Only in this way can you first become and then remain Christ’s disciple!
Remember! Truth is the umbrella that stands over love. Love springs from truth—not the other way around! It is no coincidence that Matthew 22:37-39 says, “love your neighbour as yourself,” after the verse says, “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Certainly, none who reject God or His truth love Him. Therefore, genuine love for “neighbour” will also be absent.
Many Churches Claim to Have “Love”
I ask: What about all the churches that profess the importance of love and having a “relationship with Christ”—while in ignorance of God’s true doctrines or while neglecting or abandoning the ones they may have? Can love be “perfected” in them? The Bible says that this is impossible! The only thing such people and groups “perfect” is the ability to talk about love. So says God! While many churches have honed “love speak” into a fine art, this is nothing more than empty, hollow, selfish talk!
This is why the church of my childhood was filled with talk of “love” and “Jesus,” while it demonstrated no real love and had no knowledge of the true teachings of Christ. Checking the Handbook of Beliefs of this church (as I did) would show that it matches what almost every denomination and branch of traditional Christianity says when there is doctrinal disagreement within their churches. They all say something like this: “We must agree in love to disagree. Love is primary. Doctrine and opinion about Bible truth is secondary. Let us all just have love. Let us submerge our differences under ever more love.”
The problem is that, in the end, this breeds more division and doctrinal confusion in these churches and a complete disregard and neglect of doctrinal truth. This wrong premise puts the “love” cart in front of the horse. The true Church continues in truth and then walks in love. Remember, real love, the kind seen in God’s Church, springs from first having the truth! John stated that he “rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, even as you walk in the truth.” Seeing this within fellow Christians was John’s greatest joy (III John 3-4).
How Love, Truth and Blessings Work Together
Here is a final, important, related point. What role do blessings and growth play in the formula of truth and real Christian love? Does their presence—or absence—tell the true Christian anything? They should!
I John 3:18 states, “Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” John explains that this gives Christians confidence toward God in their prayers, while eliminating the conscience problems that hinder them. Now I Jn 3:21: “Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” Answers and blessings flow from obedience, pleasing God and application of His truth: “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (I Jn 3:22).
This principle is made plain through paraphrasing three verses. Let’s notice: Isaiah 58:13-14 explains that Israel was promised wonderful blessings if they kept the Sabbath properly. Malachi 3:8-10 shows that they were also promised great blessings—but only if they tithed faithfully. Exodus 15:26-27 directly connects the promises of good health and healing to full obedience to God’s commands. These and many other verses show that the Christian can know when he is in harmony with God. Conscience problems vanish when people follow all of God’s commands and instructions.
God’s people must recognize and never forget that a real Christian’s path is not easy or pain-free. However, if our ways please Him, God will continually give blessings and growth. This becomes a sign to us of His happiness and pleasure with us. When blessings, fruit and growth are continually lacking, God is not pleased! We know—either way.
First, belief and continuance in the TRUTH tells CHRIST who His disciples are (and real love will always be evident anyway). Second, LOVE tells PEOPLE who Christ’s disciples are. Third, BLESSINGS, FRUIT AND GROWTH tell US whether we are pleasing God and continuing in His Word.
If I were the devil, I would speak endlessly of love and Jesus, while de-emphasizing right doctrine—truth—and resultant growth and blessings. If this is what you are hearing, beware!