I Corinthians 16:13-14

"Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. And everything you do must be done in love."

For the last 6 to 12 months (at least), I have been pondering Truth. How does one know Truth? How can one be courageous and strong in Truth? The world around us accepts and demands such a variety of truths. I have always believed in One Truth; clear; definitive; right and wrong - not that I always know and understand all Truth. As humans, I don't think we need to know and understand all Truth. I don't think our minds could handle such knowledge; however, I do believe God reveals His Truth to believers as it needs to be revealed - in His time and in His way. I am okay with this phenomenon.

I am learning and accepting the parts of God's Truth that He is expecting me to uphold. This knowledge is actually frightening at times because I am a "fly under the radar" kind of girl. I don't want to stand out in a crowd - especially related to controversy. Some people who claim Truth do so in self-righteous, even hateful, ways. That is not God's revealed Truth.

As I hear and accept God's call to pursue Truth, another message is resounding loud and clear: "everything you do must be done in love." Wow - that is significant! God's Truth isn't always politically correct and it never has been. Even when Peter and John were recognized as men who had been with Jesus in Acts 4:13, and even as they were accomplishing many things by the power of the Holy Spirit, they were still misunderstood and threatened by the authority figures of the day. Reactions to the Apostles preaching included jealousy, trials, imprisonment, and death, as well as support, acceptance, obedience, and transformation. Truth does not equal fair treatment, it is not easy, and it is often rejected by those without a personal relationship with Jesus. Even worse, it is often misunderstood among those who have a personal relationship with Jesus. And yet, "everything you do must be done in love." Only the Holy Spirit can provide that kind of love!

My thoughts about Truth center on how would Jesus live in 2009 on this earth? I am convinced that He would personally care for people more than he would focus on their sin because that is how his lived on earth previously. Any person with an ounce of desire to know Him would feel comfortable in His presence because of His personal love for that person. He did not ask people to clean up before coming to see Him when He walked the earth before, so why would He now? At the same time, and with immeasurable love, Jesus spoke clearly about sin and about how to turn from it. As a consider Truth in 2009, and how Jesus is guiding me to pursue it, my first thought, my first word, and my first action must be steeped in love - a fruit of the Holy Spirit given only to those who love God and are surrendered to Him.

I want me some love - Happy Valentine's Day!