How Can I Show Love For Truth?

Chuck Northrop

Everyone has a need for truth even when it hurts. Most of us do not like being lied to even to make us feel better because we know and understand when the truth does come out, the lie hurts more than the truth. Truth is not always pleasant. To know the truth about our spiritual condition can often be very painful even when it is said in love. Most of us want to believe we are good moral people. Therefore, the inspired words of John cut deep. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1John 1:8).

The Bible is the Word of God and the Word of God is truth. Jesus praying to the Father said, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17). This truth gives solutions to the problems of life and it gives solutions to man's greatest problem - sin. The truth cuts deep when it declares "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) but it gives hope and assurance when it declares the solution to sin. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23). When we come to Jesus by faith and obedience to His will, we gain access to the Father and have the hope of eternal life.

Most of us who "have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine" (Romans 6:17) want others to know and obey the truth. It is our honest desire to display the truth in our lives that others may see our example and glorify our Father in heaven. Consequently, we look for ways to show the truth. So in answer to the question, "how can I show love for truth?" we offer five suggestions. We can show our love for truth . . .

By Our Obedience To The Truth.

If we truly love the Lord, we will obey His truth. Jesus taught, "If a man love me, he will keep my words" (John 14:23). We obey Him, first, by becoming a Christian and, second, by living the life of a Christian. Our example to those around us should be an example of obedience to the truth. In 2Corinthians 3:2-3 Paul declared, "Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart." Our example of obedience is so vitally important. Peter and the apostles by their examples shows that it is most important to obey God. After the high priest had strictly commanded the apostles not to teach in the name of Jesus, they were brought before the Sanhedrin. In defence of their action they said, "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).

By Our Work For The Truth.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). Christians are sanctified - set apart for a specific work. "We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works" (Ephesians 2:10). We are to be "stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord" (1Corinthians 15:58). We are "a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14). Therefore, we are a working people who work whole heartedly for the glory of God. Those that love the truth are those who work for the truth. Others can see our love for the truth by our work for the truth.

By Our Commitment To The Truth.

Until we are entirely committed to the truth, we will never be recognized for loving the truth. In the face of persecution, Paul declared, "I am set for the defence of the gospel" (Philippians 1:17). Paul was committed to the truth no matter what the outcome whether life or death. A Christian cannot show his love for truth until he is completely committed to the truth. Peter showed his commitment when he said, "Lo, we have left all, and followed thee" (Luke 18:28). Jesus demanded total commitment when He announced, "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:33).

By Our Study Of The Truth.

Paul exhorted, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2Timothy 2:15). Knowledge of God's Word does not come by taking a pill. It is a result of diligent effort. After a sermon, a young man to the aged gospel preacher exclaimed how he would love to have his knowledge of the Bible. The aged gentleman replied, "give the next thirty years to the study of the Bible and you will." If we teach others (Matthew 28:19); if we contend for the faith (Jude 3); if we give an answer of the hope within us (1Peter 3:15); we must be earnest students of God's word.

By Our Declaration Of The Truth.

The psalmist declared, "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day" (Psalms 119:97). We can declare our love of the truth in the same way. There are two ways to declare the truth - by our words and by our example. Both are necessary ingredients in the life of a Christian. In our declaration of the truth, we declare our love for the truth. The things we enjoy the most are what we talk about. We can let others know of our love for the truth by wanting to discuss God's will for mankind.

It is our desire that these five suggestions help you to declare your love for the truth. If we put them into practice, others will know that we love the word of God and that truth is most important to us. They may even ask about the hope that is within us. Then we will be able to take advantage of the opportunity and declare unto them the blessed hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our example may even help motivate them in obedience to the truth.