God’s Love for Us, Part 8: Rejoices when Truth Wins
David W Palmer
The apostle Paul describes the love with which God loves us, and with which he empowers his family to love others:
(1 Corinthians 13:4–7 TLB) “Love … rejoices whenever truth wins out. {7} If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him.”
Love “rejoices whenever truth wins out”
This is a brilliant way to express what’s at the heart of building a lasting and fulfilling life on the solid rock foundation that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 7. What’s more, this is also the basis for love, transparency, unity, and wisdom. We must remember; Jesus said that when it comes to the real truth spoken in love, we are talking about him personally”
(John 14:6 NKJV) “I am the way, the truth, and the life …”
Jesus is the Truth. When truth comes to light in love, and when we believe and act on it, truth wins; therefore Jesus wins. This is what love celebrates:
(Philippians 2:4 NLT) “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”
Finding the Truth In Conflict and Decision-Making
When differing opinions are given—say in a family, a meeting, or among friends—to investigate an issue, resolve a conflict, or to make a decision; love’s wisdom says not to make the outcome about personalities, positions, or prominence. In other words, don’t be swayed by who thinks what, or by the notion that if your idea is rejected you have been put down—or that you are a loser. Instead, listen openly for the truth as attested by the Holy Spirit’s inner witness. When the truth is revealed—no matter whether it’s through you or anyone else—be like the apostle John: rejoice! Why? Because when truth wins, Jesus wins:
(3 John 1:4 NKJV) “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
What about the situation where it is just two people who cannot agree as to the veracity of certain assertions—like who is sinning in a given situation? Again, Jesus has the solution:
(Matthew 18:15–17 NKJV) “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. {16} But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ {17} And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”
The increasing circle of counselors in this approach ensures that the truth wins out. After all, the wisdom scriptures say that there is safety in a multitude of counselors:
(Proverbs 11:14 KJV) “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.”
If you love a person, or a group of people, occasionally you have a need to resolve a conflict, solve a problem, or investigate an issue. Love’s wisdom certainly doesn’t want to jump to any conclusions, make hasty judgments, or run off on half-baked decisions. Wisdom says, “We dig until we get to the truth.” Then we can draw conclusions, arrive at judgments, and make decisions on the basis of truth. However, in the process, we must always remember that the truth is only facts unless it is spoken in love:
(Ephesians 4:15 NKJV) “But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ.”
Even when you know the true facts and others don’t, if you demand belligerently that they believe you, truth is not winning out; love does not rejoice in this. If you know the facts and argue fervently for them until your interlocutor feels defeated, this is not love either; in that case, the truth is not triumphing over the enemy. Truth only wins when it is spoken and used in love. Then and only then is it Jesus.
I encourage you today—whether it is an investigation, a conflict, a decision-making discussion, or a combined search for wisdom—dig until you find the truth; but do it with the heart and language of love. And then, only after you have prayed, heard from God, and have his love pouring through your heart, should you apply the truth you have discovered.
