Speaking the Truth in Love by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 28, 1914

“Speaking the Truth in Love”

By F. M. W.

THE apostle Paul exhorts the Ephesian brethren that they “be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” Eph. 4: 14, 15.

The spirit of the world is that of enmity, hatred, jealousy, evil surmising, and strife. There are but few in the world’s great conflict today but that are possessed of the partisan spirit. Zeal for some cause or for some party overshadows every other impulse. This spirit cannot actuate the worker for Christ. He cannot become partisan in the affairs of the world, nor take part in party bickerings. He stands as the representative of Heaven, as the ambassador of God, to the inhabitants of a lost world. As the ambassador from one country cannot take part in the party strifes of another country to which he may be accredited, no more can the minister of Christ affiliate with some of the world’s orders and organizations in opposition to those of an opposing class. His mission is to the men and women of every order and every organization.

Religiously he cannot become a partisan of one church as against another church. He cannot ally himself with the Catholics as against Protestants, or with Protestants as against Catholics. He must stand for the truth of God and for the principles of that truth wherever taught or by whomsoever advocated.

“Speaking the truth in love.” How much is comprehended in this experience! This kind of preaching engages in no acrimonious debate, employs no unkind criticism, no ridicule, no scoffing. It speaks the plainest truth in tenderness. Its one object is to win men rather than to embitter them. It seeks to reveal to men the beauty of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus.

We need in our labor today more of this kind of preaching. Love will break the hardest hearts. Love wounds only that it may heal. It points out error in order that it may give in the place of

error the precious truth. The cause of God today needs brave men and fearless men who will penetrate to the very citadel of error, and stand bravely and boldly for God and in defense of truth though it may cost them life itself.

But the cause of truth needs also kind men, loving men, gentle men. Indeed, the greatest strength of the cause of right is the strength born of love. Weak, feeble, frail women have gone to the stake because the indwelling power of love made them fearless in the face of danger. Let us not mistake brute courage for the courage of true manliness. Let us not mistake the loud denunciatory arraignment of error as the voice of the loud cry. “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” James 3: 17, 18.

F. M. W.