1 Corinthians 13:6b
Ps Paul Cheng
“…love is discerning…”
~3 min read
1 Corinthians 13:6b, but rejoiceth in the truth.
The word but is the contrast, instead of rejoicing in iniquity, we rejoice in the truth. In other words, love is able to recognize what is right and wrong, righteousness and unrighteousness, truth and iniquity. So, love is discerning!
What is truth? Truth is anything that is in accordance with the Word of God, and anything that reflects the will and character of God.
Love cannot turn a blind eye to matters of right and wrong, or truth and error. Love is able to discern that there are some things acceptable and unacceptable to God.
- A love that is committed to the truth — To rejoice in the truth, we have to make a commitment to the truth. Some people may say, “We don’t have to be so judgmental. We don’t have to take such a firm stance. Can't we just accept everything? After all, isn’t that what it means to be loving?” Biblical love (agape) is in the purest form, and does not operate like that. We have to know the truth, and then be committed to it. We cannot be neutral!
- A love that is not neutral — Have you ever heard this statement, “It doesn’t matter if people agree or disagree with us about doctrines, what matters is that we love them”? Do you realize that this statement does not make sense? Our love must be based on the truth of God’s Word, not our feelings, or emotions, or what we think is right or wrong, or what the majority thinks. Love always rejoices in the truth and never in falsehood or false teaching. In fact, love cannot tolerate wrong teaching.
- A love that requires a stance — When we make a commitment to the truth, we have to take a stance. Love is not passive in the face of truth and error. Love does not allow us to say, “Don’t ask me. It is not my business. I do not want to be involved.” We do not really have a right to speak like that. Love does not allow us to take no position because of self-preservation, or out of fear, or we don’t want to be on someone’s wrong side, or we want to be accepted by everyone. Love does not allow us to do that. The only way we can rejoice in the truth, is that we must recognise what is truth and error, sin and evil. And when we love the truth, then we must hate evil, which inevitably will lead us to take a stance. We can never be neutral.
- A love that is on the Lord’s side — When we make a commitment to the truth, it doesn’t matter whether the person is our father, or mother, or child, or friend, if he or she is wrong, he or she is wrong, regardless. We may lose our friends, or be rejected, or ostracised, or not welcomed, but we would rather stand on the Lord’s side than on the other side. Because love rejoiceth in the truth!
Most certainly, we love our parents. Let’s say, our parents are unbelievers. If we truly love them, then it is very important to us whether or not what our parents believe is right or wrong because it is going to affect their souls, eternal salvation, and whether they end up in heaven or in hell. If our parents say, “Well, it doesn’t matter what I believe in. Every religion teaches a way to salvation. My good work can save me. My giving money to charity can save me. I can pick and choose any religion I want, and at the end of the day, I will still be in heaven.” If we truly love them, we will correct them not because we desire a debate or an argument, but because our love rejoices only in the truth that will save their souls.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Paul Cheng
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The Qualities Of Love (Part 14) — Love Hopeth All ThingsThe Qualities Of Love (Part 14) — Love Hopeth All Things1 Corinthians 13:7c
The Qualities Of Love (Part 12) — Love Bears All ThingsThe Qualities Of Love (Part 12) — Love Bears All Things1 Corinthians 13:7a
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