Balancing Truth with Love in the Church
My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.
Hebrews 12:5-6
It can be difficult bringing God’s truth and love when ministering to a Christian friend. But from the above verse, we see that God disciplines us according to his truth because he loves us, which implies that love drives us to reveal God’s truth. Christians hold each other accountable, so we all stay on the narrow road to eternal life. We need to depend on our Christian brothers and sisters to keep on the narrow road because it is easy to deceive our own selves.
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:1-2) If we have determined that a Christian brother or sister has a sinful behavior, then we can approach that person with a loving, caring heart showing our concern for that person’s soul. We have to be careful, especially when ministering to a strong, well-respected Christian that he/she doesn’t convince us to be tempted.
If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. (Matthew 18:15) We first go to the brother or sister and try to resolve what we have determined to be sinful. We do this with a caring heart of love and compassion. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) If the person doesn’t satisfactorily defend their position, then we call another strong Christian brother or sister for their wisdom.
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. (1 Timothy 4:1) Accountability within the Church is critical in the last days because many will be deceived by demonic spirits without realizing it. But together, we can overcome Satan’s deception and stay strong in the Word of God. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.(Matthew 24:5) It is important that we know the truth so we can keep our brothers and sisters on the narrow road to eternal life.
Today be sure you are living in the truth by knowing the Word. The only truth comes from God so we verify every word we hear by the Word of God. In the world today, we can see that Satan and his deceiving angels have deceived many to following his evil ways. We minister to the world, but it is critically important to minister to those in our church family and keep them on the narrow road of truth, because the church is being attacked. If your minister says something that you can prove is against the Word or not in the Word, then bring it his attention or to the elders, with a heart of love and truth. The people in the Church have the responsibility to help keep the Church in God’s truth.
Prayer: Lord, help me to always bring your truth in love to everyone. Guide me in the Spirit to question anything the Spirit places on my heart. Fill my mind and heart with your Word, because if I don’t know the Truth I can easily be deceived. In Jesus name, Amen