“…and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” (2 Thessalonians 2:10, NIV84)
“They refused to love the truth and so be saved.” Once again we are faced with the fact that understanding truth is more than cognitive assent. Paul is pushing love into the heart of this issue. People are being deceived and are perishing because they do not love the truth. Truth from God’s perspective concerns and encompasses every aspect of life. For this very reason truth must be an absolute. It must be true for every man and woman wherever truth finds them. Truth, from God’s perspective, cannot be relative. It cannot be defined by us. It can only be defined by Him because it is absolute and because it touches all of life. Paul’s warning is sobering. People are perishing because they are buying into the lies that are contrary to God’s truth. They are wrapping their entire existence into falsehoods that only lead to death.
So, what do we do? How can we help prevent this catastrophe? We can begin to introduce them to the God of love behind the truth that we have come to love. Before someone will consider a paradigm shift in his life, he needs to feel that such a move is warranted. What has moved me the most to adopt change in my life is love. God’s love for me tells me that the relationship He wants to have with me is not just with my head, but with my whole being. In fact, it is clear that God shares His truths with me because of His great love for me. As I have grown to understand the love behind His truth, I have grown to love His truth. My love for His truth has protected me from going astray so often in my life. We need to speak of God’s love and grace with equal force as we do to His teaching of truth.
May we continually connect God’s truth with God’s love.
Peace!
Pastor Tom
www.firmlyrooted.church