only for the truth

For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

2 Corinthians 13:8

Facts are facts. And when Christians find themselves in a bad place with one another, we should just admit it. Sin has to play a part! Sin can make even the sweetest of relationships turn sour. Sin can make fellowship turn to fighting. When a situation turns bad, we should not run from this reality, but recognize it, search our hearts, and in love confront any wrong thoughts, attitudes, or actions with the truth of scripture.

This is what Paul had done with the church of Corinth. We have two letters in the New Testament where Paul took in this reality. Paul had devoted the closing segment of 2 Corinthians to again lovingly confront the pride and divisiveness that sin had brought into that congregation. He was powerless to personally change the truth of this situation. He could not be “against” the truth of a broken set of relationships. He had to recognize the reality that the Corinthian church had drifted from the gospel, from a caring relationship with him as an apostle of Christ, and from Christ Himself. They needed to repent, realign with the gospel, see God transform and change them and love so that their love for God, one another, and the apostolic doctrine taught by Paul could once again grow them.

Paul could only be “for the truth”. Truth will, when anchored on God’s Word, always prevail against all lies. Truth was unchangeable. It was the Corinthians who were pliable, willing to ignore the truth, and thus sin. But the facts stood. God wanted them holy and committed to Christ despite the way in which false doctrine and sensuality had twisted them into a broken and divisive people! Paul knew God’s truth would prevail. He did not need to prove it to be correct. It was the truth! His story of sacrifice and commitment served not to vindicate himself, but to point to the ageless power of the gospel to withstand all attacks and attempts to subvert the truth.

Lord,

Help Your church to live “for the truth”. Convict us if we live against it! Call us to lives proclaiming truth truthfully… living in Your truth. Amen