Love the Truth

By Allen W. Burris

The children of Israel digressed to the point that the inspired Isaiah pitifully proclaimed, “...truth is fallen in the street” (Isaiah 59:14). It is obvious that the children of Israel did not love the truth. What a terrible thought–truth being thrown into the street!

When we consider the divided state of “Christianity,” we could easily say today that truth, tragically, has fallen into the street. In the denominational world, truth (God’s word; John 17:17) has been replaced with the man-made ideas of “agreeing to disagree” and “unity in diversity” in almost every important doctrinal matter. The prevailing attitude is that “love covers a multitude of doctrinal sins.” They seem little concerned about truth, which is thrown out to make room for so-called “unity”.

There was a time when the church of Christ deplored these denominational attitudes and avenues of “unity,” but today this attitude of avoiding doctrine seems to be infiltrating the church. The attitude put to words: “Well, there are two differing views on X (for example, marriage, divorce, remarriage). Therefore, we will just consider it a ‘grey area,’ one you can’t really know what is right. Let’s just forget it and get on with the work.” Where will this careless attitude lead? Will it be very long until we say that we don’t know about instrumental music? God’s conditions of salvation are not immune from this damaging disposition! It must be stopped! It is indicative of lack of love for the truth.

Would anyone aggressively assert that the differing views on matters of doctrine are all correct? Surely we can agree that there is only one correct view, and the rest are false. As lovers of the truth, what should we do? We must search and study the Scriptures until we succeed in segregating truth from error.

We would be foolish to say that everything in the Bible is easily understood. Peter, by inspiration, said, “As also in all his (Paul’s) epistles speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood....” Please notice as he continues, that he warns against misunderstanding and misusing the scriptures: “…which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also other scriptures, unto their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:16). Peter then exhorts them to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (verse 18). Remember, the word of God is not a book so difficult that it cannot be understood if only we are willing to study it diligently.

We must carefully and prayerfully come to some conclusions on matters of doctrinal differences within the church. We need to stand united on the truth! “And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand” (Matthew 12:25).

Do you really love the truth? Are you willing to work to come to some definite conclusions on the pressing issues that face the church today? Please read 2 Thessalonians 2: 10-12 and carefully consider the consequences of not loving the truth.

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