Recently the brethren were studying 1 Corinthians 12 – 14 and we came across what is known as the Love Chapter (number 13).
We spoke of the different types of love and remarked on the love of God, from God, for God that also helps us to love others.
As you might be aware the topic of love is a quick way to get bogged down in distinguishing between what passes for love, and what God calls love.
Being a bloke rather lacking in mushy sentimentality, I was heartened and challenged to come across this definition of love
It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth (1 Cor. 13:6).
I can see people diving for the verse that says we must speak the truth in love, but sometimes this has been misconstrued as being somewhat soft and soppy in trying to tell someone something.
A song that is often used for us as confession is the Keith Green classic Create In Me A Clean Heart. I remember being part of a fellowship where that song was sung almost every time we met. The leader at the time seemed to love the reference to David’s cry in Psalm 51 to God to cast him not away from his presence.
Despite the over-saturation, I still love the song. Yet I was also intrigued by the background of where that psalm came about, especially in the context of love.
I reflected on that episode in the Old Testament where King David illicitly engages in sexual relations with Bathsheba, got her pregnant and then killed off her husband after he refused to play along with Davd’s ploy to cover his tracks.
After laying out a tragic tale f a rich man taking a poor man’s beloved lamb, David rages only for Nathan to bluntly tell the king these words,
You are the man! (2 Kings 12:7)
I am convinced Nathan the prophet loved David. I see that love expressed in his obedience to pass on the word of the Lord onto David, as well as later on his allegiance to David.
Here is then a good example of the most loving thing God can do for us is expose the stone cold truth of our actions. Nathan was brave to confront the King in this fashion. Yet in that bravery was a love for the king to see him recognise the error of his ways and hear God’s heart on the situation.
This desire to confront us with the stone cold truth is something I appreciate about God’s love expressed to me through a few good friends. Even up to the current time I’ve conversed on some issues with people I love, and they have had the compassion and strength to turn to me and state bluntly, but not harshly, the truth that I am in error.
The relationship context is important, but even then taking on those words can be the proverbial bitter pill to swallow. I’m not always immediately receptive to these words and that truth. Yet because of that love that rejoices in truth, sooner or later (preferably for my health, sooner) I acknowledge this love in action.
That acknowledgement is about confessing the wrong and processing and proceeding to live out the truth that love highlights.
Looking back now not only do I sing Create In Me A Clean Heart with more sincerity, I also thank God for those loving relationships that point me back to Him.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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