Embracing Truth with Love in Our Faith Journey
Summary
In our journey of faith, it is crucial to understand that truth must be held above all else. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that Christianity cannot exist without truth, and this truth must be held in love. This is not a superficial niceness or sentimentality, but a deep, unwavering commitment to the truth of the Gospel. We are called to be stable in our beliefs, not swayed by every new doctrine or idea that comes our way. To hold onto the truth, we must first know what it is. This requires a standard, a definitive measure by which we can discern right from wrong, truth from falsehood.
The history of the Christian Church is rich with creeds and confessions that were established to protect the integrity of the faith. These were not created out of leisure or for the sake of theological debate, but to safeguard the Church from false teachings and errors. The Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and others were drawn up to clearly define the core beliefs of Christianity. Today, there is a tendency to dismiss these creeds as divisive, but they are essential for maintaining the truth.
Holding the truth in love means that while we must be firm in our beliefs, we must also be humble and compassionate. We must avoid being rigid, legalistic, or intolerant. Our goal should not be to win arguments but to win souls. We must approach others with humility, recognizing our own fallibility, and strive to teach and persuade with love and patience. Love is not weak or sentimental; it is strong and seeks the best for others, even if it means speaking hard truths.
In all things, we must strive for unity in essentials, liberty in non-essentials, and charity in all things. This balance allows us to hold the truth firmly while expressing it in love, ensuring that our faith remains strong and vibrant.
Key Takeaways:
1. Truth is the foundation of Christianity, and it must be held above all else. Without truth, Christianity loses its essence. We must be stable in our beliefs, not swayed by every new doctrine or idea. [16:36]
2. To hold onto the truth, we must first know what it is. This requires a standard, a definitive measure by which we can discern right from wrong, truth from falsehood. [18:26]
3. The creeds and confessions of the Church were established to protect the integrity of the faith. They are essential for maintaining the truth and should not be dismissed as divisive. [23:39]
4. Holding the truth in love means being firm in our beliefs while also being humble and compassionate. Our goal should be to win souls, not arguments. [37:48]
5. Love is not weak or sentimental; it is strong and seeks the best for others. We must strive for unity in essentials, liberty in non-essentials, and charity in all things. [46:49]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [15:05] - The Importance of Truth in Christianity
- [16:05] - Stability in Belief
- [17:12] - Knowing and Holding the Truth
- [18:26] - The Need for a Standard
- [19:50] - The Rejection of Creeds
- [21:06] - The Consequences of Indefinite Beliefs
- [22:45] - The Role of Creeds in Church History
- [24:47] - The Purpose of Creeds and Confessions
- [26:48] - Essential Truths of the Faith
- [29:25] - Justification by Faith
- [31:14] - The Shift from Revelation to Philosophy
- [32:35] - The Role of Teaching in the Church
- [34:56] - Holding the Truth in Love
- [37:48] - Avoiding Rigidity and Intolerance
- [46:49] - Unity, Liberty, and Charity in All Things
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 4:14-15 (NIV): "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."
2. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV): "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
3. 2 Timothy 1:13 (NIV): "What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to the sermon, what is the Apostle Paul's view on the relationship between truth and Christianity? [15:05]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of creeds and confessions in the history of the Christian Church? [23:39]
3. What does the sermon suggest is the danger of being swayed by every new doctrine or idea? [16:05]
4. How does the sermon define "holding the truth in love"? [37:48]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "speak the truth in love" according to Ephesians 4:15, and how does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on humility and compassion? [37:48]
2. How might the creeds and confessions of the Church serve as a standard for discerning truth from falsehood, as discussed in the sermon? [23:39]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that love is not weak or sentimental, but rather strong and seeks the best for others? [42:22]
4. How does the sermon’s discussion of unity in essentials, liberty in non-essentials, and charity in all things reflect the teachings of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7? [46:49]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you were swayed by a new idea or doctrine. How can you ensure that your beliefs remain stable and grounded in truth? [16:05]
2. How can you incorporate the creeds and confessions of the Church into your personal faith journey to safeguard against false teachings? [23:39]
3. Think of a recent conversation where you prioritized winning an argument over winning a soul. How can you approach similar situations with humility and love in the future? [37:48]
4. Identify an area in your life where you might be rigid or intolerant. How can you practice holding the truth in love in that area? [37:48]
5. Consider a relationship where you need to speak a hard truth. How can you ensure that your approach is rooted in love and seeks the best for the other person? [42:22]
6. How can you strive for unity in essentials, liberty in non-essentials, and charity in all things within your church community? [46:49]
7. Choose one aspect of love described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 to focus on this week. What specific action can you take to cultivate it in your interactions with others?
Devotional
Day 1: Truth as the Foundation of Faith
In the journey of faith, truth is the cornerstone upon which Christianity is built. Without truth, the essence of Christianity is lost, and believers are left adrift in a sea of changing doctrines and ideas. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of holding onto the truth with unwavering commitment. This truth is not just a set of beliefs but the very essence of the Gospel, which must be held above all else. To remain stable in our beliefs, we must resist the temptation to be swayed by every new doctrine or idea that comes our way. [16:36]
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself easily swayed by new ideas or doctrines? How can you anchor yourself more firmly in the truth of the Gospel today?
Day 2: Knowing and Measuring Truth
To hold onto the truth, one must first know what it is. This requires a standard, a definitive measure by which right can be discerned from wrong, and truth from falsehood. The history of the Christian Church is rich with creeds and confessions that were established to protect the integrity of the faith. These creeds were not created for the sake of theological debate but to safeguard the Church from false teachings and errors. They serve as a guide to help believers discern the core beliefs of Christianity. [18:26]
"Test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, ESV)
Reflection: What standards or measures do you use to discern truth in your life? How can you incorporate the wisdom of historical creeds and confessions to strengthen your understanding of the faith?
Day 3: The Role of Creeds in Maintaining Truth
The creeds and confessions of the Church were established to protect the integrity of the faith. They are essential for maintaining the truth and should not be dismissed as divisive. These creeds, such as the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed, were drawn up to clearly define the core beliefs of Christianity. In today's world, there is a tendency to dismiss these creeds as outdated or unnecessary, but they remain vital for preserving the truth of the Gospel. [23:39]
"Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 1:13, ESV)
Reflection: How familiar are you with the historical creeds of the Church? Consider taking time this week to study one of these creeds and reflect on its significance in your faith journey.
Day 4: Holding Truth in Love
Holding the truth in love means being firm in our beliefs while also being humble and compassionate. Our goal should not be to win arguments but to win souls. This requires approaching others with humility, recognizing our own fallibility, and striving to teach and persuade with love and patience. Love is not weak or sentimental; it is strong and seeks the best for others, even if it means speaking hard truths. [37:48]
"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, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where you had to share a difficult truth. How did you balance truth and love in that situation? What can you do to ensure that your future interactions are marked by both truth and love?
Day 5: Unity, Liberty, and Charity
In all things, we must strive for unity in essentials, liberty in non-essentials, and charity in all things. This balance allows us to hold the truth firmly while expressing it in love, ensuring that our faith remains strong and vibrant. Unity in the core beliefs of Christianity is essential, but there must also be room for liberty in non-essential matters. Above all, charity should guide our interactions with others, allowing us to express love and compassion in all things. [46:49]
"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 15:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on an area where you have struggled to find balance between unity, liberty, and charity. How can you work towards achieving this balance in your relationships and community?
Quotes
"if we say that anything comes before truth but the Apostle makes it plain that nothing is to come we hold the truth in love we don't just hold onto a counter friendliness or of niceness or some sentimental notions of brotherliness now you can have all that without Christianity but you cannot have Christianity without truth" [00:14:51]
"you notice that the Apostle says holding the truth now this is the pole this is the important point you see this verse is the contrast with verse 14 the very word that puts us onto that at once you're not mustn't be this but you must be there well I want to be not to be well we are not to be children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine" [00:15:42]
"how can I judge these various winds of doctrine that blow round and about me if I haven't got a standard how do I know that these winds of doctrine are wrong and they're false how do I detect this the sleight of men and cunning craftiness and realize that they're waiting lying in wait of punts upon me and to deceive me and to lead me into error" [00:18:21]
"there is a strong objection today to Creed's and to confession and to every form of definition as I've already explained you Christianity has become just some vague indefinite spivot indeed there are leaders in the judges who state is perfectly openly in books and in sermons and in every method in which they attempt to convey their ideas and their beliefs" [00:20:25]
"you read the history and you'll discover the richness every one of those Creed's and confessions was drawn up to save the life of the church that's the answer false teachings that come in errors of Krypton as the Scriptures prophesied they would and as the Apostles prophesied they would and there was confusion in the church" [00:24:06]
"we must never be hard and rigid we must never be legal we must never be intolerant we must never do it in such a way as to give the impression that our one concern is to prove that we are right and everybody else is wrong we must never do it simply that we know now given to the dispute that's always wrong our spirit is wrong" [00:37:35]
"we should do it because we are sorry for people are misguided and led astray not in order to show they're wrong and we are no but in order to bring them to the truth we should do it ever with humility and recognizing our own fallibilities that we all make mistakes we all may be in error we almost we must always remember that" [00:40:00]
"love is strong and love is true and love is pure and you know when you love a what you really want is the best that you can ever get for that person love sometimes as the heart doesn't it we have sometimes to be cruel to be kind a parent who never connects the child is of very poor parent whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth" [00:42:48]
"the Apostle so perfectly clearly that Peter was compromising and compromising on this vital truth of justification and he withstood him and Peter because he was an apostle and a man of God and full of the Spirit he saw it and he yielded and he gave him and Paul 1 Peter Peter didn't resent it Peter undoubtedly thank Paul for it" [00:44:55]
"the principle which should govern us in all this is that well-known principle that puts it all like this in things essential unity in things in different and there are many such things which are indifferent which we can't prove one way or another in those liberty but in all things charity in things essential unity in things in different liberty in all things carry" [00:46:47]
"holding the truth in love does not mean I say a very flabby sentimental notion of niceness and fellowship and a brotherhood well what does it mean well let's look at it positively you notice that the Apostle says holding the truth now this is the pole this is the important point you see this verse is the contrast with verse 14" [00:15:23]
"you can't hold on to a thing unless you know what it is it must be something that is capable of being held on to and I can tell you what it isn't tell you what to do and the Apostle says yes it is hold on to the truth holding the truth obviously therefore this truth that he's talking about is something that is capable of being defined" [00:17:41]
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