The Power of Truth to Restore
I recently listened to an interview of a couple who had served with a ministry that was encouraging them to be accommodating of the sinful identities of those they were trying to serve. I know that sounds cryptic, so let me try to give a clear example (this is my paraphrase of what I heard). The organization encouraged them in their evangelist conversations, to use a person’s preferred pronouns, as an act of love and good faith, even if those pronouns were the opposite of their birth sex.
But this couple didn’t think that was right. They said, (again, paraphrase) “Our experience has been that we need to do the opposite of that advice. It is better to speak the truth in love to people, rather than altering reality to fit their deception. That is the better way, and it’s a path that has led many to question their sinful lifestyle decisions over time.”
Speaking the truth in love, walking full of grace and truth–these are clear themes of Scripture. These are words used to describe Jesus, who was “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). He never abandoned truth, and yet he met people where they were, like the woman at the well.
Last week we looked at how to change a broken legacy in Esther chapter nine. As we are coming to a close with the book of Esther (read ahead for this Sunday Esther 9:20 through the end of chapter 10), we see a similar theme emerge almost as a summary of the book. In 9:30, it says, “Letters were sent… in words of peace and truth.” Esther and Mordecai were fastidiously committed to truth. They were careful, for the future protection of the Jewish people, to expose the murderous truth of what Haman was plotting. It’s a powerful example for us in an age of so much confusion. Maybe my life is not at stake like Esther’s, but I think at the bare minimum the mental sanity of future generations is at stake. Truth matters, and what you believe shapes how you live.
My prayer is that as people are looking for a church in the South End of Louisville or in Southwest Louisville, they would look for a church rooted in grace and truth, in the grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ and in the truth of His Word. And my prayer is that Valley View would always be known as that kind of church. Come as you are, so you don’t have to stay as you are. All over PRP, Shively, and Valley Station, come and find hope, peace, and joy in Jesus Christ!
Photo by Eduardo Braga