Shabbat shalom to everyone!
Many people lack the love of the truth, while many lack the truth of love. Or stated otherwise, some have a love of the truth, but lack the truth of love.
The following was written by Jerry and posted in the comments section of this blog in response my recent post on Mark 9:38–50 entitled, “Elohim Hates Contention and Strife.”
His comments speak such profound spirit and truth truths in such a simple way that I felt compelled by the Ruach to share them here for all to read. This is the heart of Yeshua and the Father. Thank you Jerry for transmitting to us what YHVH has given to you. This is the body of Yeshua edifying itself.
Please read and ponder. — Natan
Here is another clear and simple admonition to add to the other good references you have provided:
PURSUE SHALOM WITH EVERYONE, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. (Heb 12:14)
Many lack a LOVE OF THE TRUTH, while many others lack THE TRUTH OF LOVE. It used to be my nature, and is still the nature of many, to presume I was pursuing a love of the truth, while I was yet falling far short of the truth of love.
True love pursues shalom with everyone, even as it pursues and defends a love of the truth.
We must not compromise His truth OR His love. We must grow up and be mature in the likeness the character of His love – humility, meekness, patience, and kindness – even as we are to grow up and be mature in the knowledge of and obedience to His truth. This is true strength! It is not strength being an arrogant “big mouth”! It is weakness! Being free from the fear of man does not mean being free from the fear of Adonai.
I think the following admonitions of Messiah are quite applicable:
You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evildoer. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…Therefore be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Mat 5:38-39a, 43-44, 48)
If we are commanded by Messiah to even love our enemies who persecute us, how much more are we to love those who are our “neighbors ” who only disagree with us?
It is a shame and a misrepresentation of His name that many who seem to so highly esteem themselves in their knowledge of “the truth”, so lowly esteem Him in their knowledge of His character. Maybe this is some of what the commandment means, “You shall not take the Name of Adonai your Elohim in vain” — supposing one is defending His truth while not displaying His character.
After all, being that He is “the TRUTH” while also being the “Prince of SHALOM”, should we not also be ambassadors of not only “the Truth”, but SHALOM to all, as well?
However, having said this, it must also be qualified that we are not to pursue “shalom” at all costs, for that would ultimately mean to compromise the truth and, in fact, that would not be true shalom at all. That would be the shalom as the world gives it and not truly His shalom (John 14:27). In this sense, we must also remember that Messiah said, “Do not think that I came to bring shalom on the earth; I did not come to bring shalom, but a sword [truth that divides and separates]” (Mat 10:34).