The Truth And The Unity Of The Spirit'
The character of the truth, what God designed the truth to accomplish and what the proper attitude toward the truth is, are things which should be kept constantly in the forefront in all efforts for unity. It is to be feared that unity has become a fetish with some. Rather than being a fetish with magical powers to cure all religious ills, the unity of the Spirit is a fruit which is produced by the truth among all who properly receive the truth and respond to its requirements.
We now set forth some of the claims for the truth which are found in the New Testament.
"Thy Word Is Truth"
Jesus identified the truth as the word of God in his prayer recorded in John 17:17. "Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth." This passage not only defines the truth as being the word of God, but it also implies the separative power of the truth. God sanctifies men, i.e., sets them apart (separates) them from others, for his service in the truth. The divisive force of truth must be recognized as well as the unifying force of truth.
"Speaking Truth In Love"
In the context in which the apostle exhorts brethren to "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace," the requirement to speak truth in love is found. "That we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men in craftiness, after the wiles of error; but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things unto him, who is the head even Christ..." (Eph. 4:14,15). Not only is the speaking to be in love but truth is the thing to be spoken. Maturity in Christ cannot be gained in the absence of either the truth or love. It is disastrous to give disproportionate emphasis to either element, for neglect of the other is inevitable. Love should never be profaned by seeking to justify tolerance toward error by reference to the requirement to love. The so-called "love" which is indifferent to any element of the truth is not the thing required by the Spirit of Truth.
"Love Of The Truth"
Love of the truth must be cultivated, for without it no ground for hope of salvation exists — "and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved and for this cause God sendeth them a working of error that they should believe a lie: that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." II Thess. 2:10-12.
Some "love to have the preeminence," others "love the chief seats in the synagogue," while the "love of money" absorbs others. These loves oppose the truth; love of the truth cannot continue in the same heart with these other loves. God's jealousy extends to his truth; men must love the truth.
"Know The Truth"
Before anyone can speak the truth in love he must know the truth. In fact before the truth can accomplish its purpose in the life of a man the truth must be known by that man. Christ said "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). The freedom from the bondage of sin, which is the freedom under consideration by our Lord, is not enjoyed by any except those who know the truth.
Those who are "ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (II Tim. 3:7) continue in our day in God's disfavor. God expects and requires men to know the truth.
"Obey The Truth"
Knowledge of the truth has as its complement obedience to the truth. God "will render to every man according to his works; to them that by patience in well doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life: but to them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness shall be wrath and indignation tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that worketh evil... (Rom. 2:8,9).
Those who fail to continue to the path of obedience are rebuked in the Bible — "who hindered you that ye should not obey the truth" (Gal. 5:7).
"Hindering The Truth"
Christians often seem to fail to realize the seriousness of hindering the truth. Ponder the warning of Romans 1:18 "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hinder the truth in unrighteousness."
"Truth Vs. Fables"
"For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts: and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside unto fables" (II Tim. 4:3,4). Division is inevitable when such a condition as this developer; the only kind of harmony that could be had with such is a sort of unity in fables. Fellowship with those who are afflicted with "itching ears" is not desirable the only proper contact is that which might contribute to curing! the condition. The disease is contagious; dissatisfaction with the truth is catching. The divine prescription is "PREACH THE WORD."
"Handling Aright The Word Of Truth"
In all our efforts to keep the unity of the Spirit we must constantly remember our duty of "handling aright the word of truth" (II Tim. 2:15). No one can lay just claim to "handling aright the word of truth," who fails to speak the truth, speak it in love, love the truth, know the truth, obey the truth, prefer it above fables and give diligence to avoid hindering the truth.
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