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Former VP, Al Gore, made a fair amount of money revealing what he referred to as "Inconvenient Truths" in our world and lives. His speeches and productions dealt more with climate change and global warming, but the concept is an interesting one to ponder and it begs the question: What are the inconvenient truths in our lives when it comes to our faith in Jesus Christ?
I'm guessing that there are more to choose from than we would like to admit, however, I will offer a specific one that runs counter to many perceptions in society as well as in the church. That inconvenient truth is how we define the word "love."
What does it really mean to love someone? Is loving someone giving full acceptance and approval to their choices, desires and feelings? Or is it more than that? Or maybe less?
Jesus tells us that the world will know those who follow him by their love and the way that they love one another. John states that we should not love with words or speech, but in actions and in truth. Paul writes to the Corinthians about what love is and the attributes of it.
But do we really agree with what they say? In love, we often see patience and kindness. We expect that love always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. We aspire to know that true love never fails. But do we really agree that love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth? If we do, we are now forced to define what truth is before acknowledging what love looks like.
And if we are using the Bible as our source of truth, then we need to define love from a biblical standpoint. So, according to the Bible, what is love? Once more, John writes: In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. I think we could all agree that according to the standards set by God, love would be considered following His commands. And if that is the case, then anything that runs counter to God's commands would be considered sin.
Do you believe it? Do you truly believe that sin is the opposite of truth and therefore the opposite of love? I ask this because many of us have become accepting of areas of sin. But when we become accepting of sin in our lives, can we ever be truly repentant? Additionally, when we accept sin in the lives of other Christians, isn't the same true? By accepting sin, are we not simply delighting in evil?
And anytime we redefine the boundaries of sin according to our experiences or preferences, instead of accepting the truth of what God states it to be, we are delighting in evil and not rejoicing in the truth.
If that is the case, then true love is sometimes shown by not accepting what someone else states as their "truth," but standing on the truths of God. Granted, this must be done in a humble manner with the understanding that we all fall short of the glory of God and need His love and grace daily. But is love defined on our terms or God's?
It is the essence of being our brothers' keeper. It is the essence of confronting a brother or sister in Christ of their sin. It is the essence of the accountability that both Jesus and Paul beckon us to at various points in Scripture. It is the essence of holding one another accountable in our faith.
It is not always easy and very rarely comfortable, even though it is right. We could almost call it an inconvenient truth.
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Finding Faith is written by area pastors. This week's column comes from Rev. Scott Garman, pastor of Cedar Heights Brethren in Christ Church in Mill Hall.