In my last blog post, I talked about the collision of sin and truth within our culture.  We live in a time where truth has been exchanged for a counterfeit sense of right and wrong…often in the name of tolerance.  Even worse, is that many of us turn our heads and look the other way.  

Over the weekend, our pastor challenged us with the question, “Are you loving someone well when you turn a blind eye to their sin?”  In other words, are you willing to sacrifice truth at the alter of love?  What is your answer?  

Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 

1 Corinthians 13: 4-6

As the advent of June approaches, and all things celebrating “love” are front and center, I think it is a good time to think hard on this question.  The celebration of biblical love can be a beautiful thing, but it is sinful to celebrate and accept a non-biblical definition of love; particularly surrounding sexual identity and family structure.  I would go so far as to say that it is the most effective tactic of Satan on the destruction of humanity right now.

The narrative of the LGBTQ+ community for the month of June is “no matter your choices, if YOU are happy, then it should be wholeheartedly accepted.” We seem to be a society that has become fixated on a cultural concept of “love” rather than biblical love.  And, somewhere along the line, Christians have also bought into this same lie that to love (often citing like Jesus) is to overlook sin.  

Look no further than the splits happening within Christian denominations over one issue – namely how the church considers LGBTQ+ ministers and marriages.  It has been years in the making and been the topic of much debate.  Since 2019, one of the largest Christian denomination in the U.S. – the United Methodist Church – has experienced an exodus of congregations over this one issue. To date, over 7,000+ congregations have broken away from the denomination. Although the U.S. is not likely staring at the prospects of a second civil war over this issue, it does point to a larger unraveling happening within our culture.

Now, more than ever, we need biblical clarity on this issue.  Church, it is your responsibility to take the lead on this issue.  Most Christians won’t touch this issue with a ten foot pole because they are fearful of the criticism they will receive.  But, can we really profess to live out our faith if we aren’t willing to adhere to speak up for truth?  A truth that Jesus quite literally died for.  A truth that was self-sacrificing.  A truth that was considered offensive to many.

So, just how should love intertwine with truth?  If you have not done so already, I would challenge you to dig into God’s Word.  It is there that you will find the answer.  Having done so myself extensively, I can tell you that there is no place in the Bible that validates sin in the name of love.  Not one.  God is both love and truth, but one does not negate the other.  Ever.  

In fact, more often than not, where you find love in the Bible, truth is not far behind.  I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “speak truth in love.”  This command actually comes from Ephesians 4:15. “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15).  Paul’s instructions here encourage us to love while also being ready and willing to adhere to and speak truth.  Truth and love cannot exist separate from each other.  “And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32). Truth without love hurts, and love without truth is shallow.  Truth shapes love, and love shapes truth.  They are intimately intertwined. They are two sides of the same coin. Those that tell you any differently are wrong. 

Much like the love that a parent gives to his/her child, biblical love is focused on the well-being of the loved one above all else.  Knowing what is good and wholesome for the child, a good parent will always offer truth as an act of love toward the child.  

And so, when you look around you at the celebration of “love” throughout the month of June, remember that a celebration of love also demands a celebration of truth. When we do so, we quickly realize we cannot celebrate anything outside the boundaries of God’s intended design.  

It is our job as Christians to resist the temptation to cover sin in the name of love.  I would challenge you to instruct those around you on what biblical love actually looks like.  Pastors, instruct your flocks.  Parents, instruct your children.  Teachers, instruct your students.  It is only in adherence to truth that we can fully love.   

In the infamous words of clergyman Warren Wiersbe, “Truth without love is brutality, and love without truth is hypocricy.”