Many people in today’s society believe that love means to accept everything without question, supporting someone no matter what. To many, love means to affirm everything a person does so they feel seen and valued. Should we correct or confront those who we love? How would God describe love? While we take a deeper look into the scripture we see love is much stronger and deeper than just simple acceptance toward others.
True love is rooted in truth. As stated in John 14:15, “If you love Me you will keep My commandments.” This passage shows that love is anchored in the truth and to love God is to follow His commands also. This shows that love isn’t just something someone feels but it’s about obedience. Real love doesn’t ignore sin or rejoice in it, instead it seeks what’s best for that person’s soul. 1 Corinthians 13:6 reminds us that love doesn’t rejoice in iniquity but rejoices with the truth. True love leads people toward the truth, not away from it, even when it’s difficult. That doesn’t mean being harsh or being very critical towards someone but it’s speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
Jesus is our ultimate example of love. To fully understand love we have to look as Jesus’ example in the scripture. Jesus was compassionate toward those who were lost, he welcomed those who were outcasts, sat with sinners, and showed mercy to those who were persecuting him. But at the same time he never compromised the truth, and he wanted to reach as many souls as possible. In John 4, Jesus is speaking to the woman at the well, he meets her with understanding and kindness and gently reveals the truth to her. This is the example of balancing grace, truth, and love and all of these things work together for good.
“Speaking the truth in love.” Living this out is not always the easiest, because speaking the truth in love requires intentionality and the right heart. Humility is a big part of this, we need to recognize that we all fall short too. This isn’t a way to prove you’re right or to win an argument, this is a way to win a soul over to God, and that should be our first priority. Without humility this cannot be achieved. Philippians 2:3 states “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
This kind of love is not hypocritical, we cannot preach others Jesus and turn around and live a life of sin. Matthew 15:7-8 reads, “ You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;.” Examine yourself before you criticize others. Truth spoken without love can feel harsh, cold and condemning, and even though avoiding the truth may seem easier in the moment. Ultimately it leads others further from God. On the other hand truth spoken in love has the power to guide, heal, encourage, and restore those in sin. In James 5:19–20 it says, “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” Sometimes the most loving thing to do is to have that difficult conversation, because you care about their soul and relationship with God.
Godly love is active. It speaks the truth even when it’s hard, it speaks the truth with gentleness, and it values a person’s soul over temporary feelings. As we see in 1 John 3:18, “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” Godly love is not afraid to correct, because it’s rooted in a desire to restore and build up (Galatians 6:1). This means that loving others takes patience, and perseverance, this love pursues what is right even when it is hard (2 Timothy 4:2). Be willing to stand firm in the faith even when it’s unpopular or misunderstood.
In a culture that confuses love with acceptance and comfort we are called to love like Jesus would, walking in grace, truth, and love. It’s easy to stay silent. It’s easy to avoid hard conversations. It’s easy to agree. Love that ignores the truth doesn’t actually protect people; it leaves them right where they are. Love rooted in truth can restore, transform and grow those who have fallen away. Show a kind of love that doesn’t draw others to ourselves but draws them to Christ.
- Love That Rejoices in Truth - April 2, 2026
- Seek First the Kingdom - February 10, 2026
Welcome! We are so glad you stopped by. Come Fill Your Cup is a group of Christian ladies dedicated to equipping women for study and service. We know you are busy and that life’s hectic pace pulls you in so many directions, but you can’t truly be the woman God desires unless you take time to fill your own cup…not with spa days (though we love a good spa!) or the latest novel…but with God’s Holy Word. We want to help you with that! Our goal is to reach you in the midst of your busy day and give you encouragement, education, and fellowship as you strive to live the life God has laid before you. Our prayer is that we can help fill your cup so that you, in turn, can overflow to all those around you. So, as we like to say…come fill your cup, and let it overflow!
Leave a Reply