Truth - Unhelpful?
I will not go into philosophy on what truth is and how it is define but rather come in with a point of view with certain universal (enough) assumptions on truth. Do hang in there =)
Ever heard "The truth will set you free"? Yeah, me too. I wonder how relevant it is in times of grieving and sadness. Speaking from a Christian point of view, from what I observe and personal experience, saying that Jesus loves you and everything has a plan is one of the worse answers a Christian could give to another who perhaps just lost a loved one. Okay from this point on wards it is focused more for Christians but you are welcome to read =)
Again, I speak not to say that I know better, but putting forward what I think which of course is always up for debate and questioning. But it does irk me when a person is going through troubles and another comes and just shove the Bible up their (At-sign, dollar, dollar). Like, hellllooooo do I not know what the Bible says? Have I not read enough verses to know what it means for certain situations? So the question becomes, how relevant is the Gospel as it is meant to be?
I will not go into theological explanations as I find you can just google it. Information is at the tip of your hands. Commentaries, websites, youtube sermons....all there. So, how helpful is the truth? Very much relevant and very much helpful. How and when you present it to a grieving person is another.
Yes, as a Christian I would like to say it is good to be consumed by the Bible where the scriptures are written in your hearts. However, how you say it matters for what comes out from your mouth reflects your heart. You can either sound really helpful or a noisy gong. Gosh, I would not want to be a noisy gong. 1st Corinthians 13:2 says " And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.". Knowledge isn't everything. You may know the right answers but you miss out love, you are nothing. You hear me, the word used is 'nothing'. And if one claims they bring the truth to a hurting person as such and convinced they are right but misses out love is not the complete gospel anymore and hence not the gospel.
Some have told me, "The gospel is not just love. Why keep focusing on love? What is important is the word (scriptures)!" to which I go, are you assuming my focus on love means I neglect the word? Jesus came to the Earth full of grace and truth and ministered to others full of grace and truth. Not just.....truth. Which is harsh. No doubt the truth hurts, but that is not what I am emphasizing am I? It is being able to discern and have wisdom in what you say for your words can either build or break a person.
Tell me honestly, a person who is suffering really needs to hear Jesus died for them? Really? My answer is yes but not at that point of time. The gospel is relevant in a sense where knowing God is sovereign and his Agapic love is constant and reliable through the cross, you can trust in His character enough that he will be faithful in journeying with you. His ways are after all higher than ours. Again, I do not want to get into some theology talk where desiringgod.com, gospel coalition or relevant magazine can provide. What I ask is that you reflect for a moment =)
There are times when I too may be guilty of this. I fall short all the time. Pride is an issue every one struggles with where they do not notice. Coming to terms with it usually needs another to tell me up front. Finally I am not a counselor or some therapist that actually knows how to deal with grief or what not. What I dare say is, I can be (as humanly possible) the friend and listening ear providing encouragement and support.
So....How helpful is the truth? Wrong question to ask isn't it?
Ever heard "The truth will set you free"? Yeah, me too. I wonder how relevant it is in times of grieving and sadness. Speaking from a Christian point of view, from what I observe and personal experience, saying that Jesus loves you and everything has a plan is one of the worse answers a Christian could give to another who perhaps just lost a loved one. Okay from this point on wards it is focused more for Christians but you are welcome to read =)
Again, I speak not to say that I know better, but putting forward what I think which of course is always up for debate and questioning. But it does irk me when a person is going through troubles and another comes and just shove the Bible up their (At-sign, dollar, dollar). Like, hellllooooo do I not know what the Bible says? Have I not read enough verses to know what it means for certain situations? So the question becomes, how relevant is the Gospel as it is meant to be?
I will not go into theological explanations as I find you can just google it. Information is at the tip of your hands. Commentaries, websites, youtube sermons....all there. So, how helpful is the truth? Very much relevant and very much helpful. How and when you present it to a grieving person is another.
Yes, as a Christian I would like to say it is good to be consumed by the Bible where the scriptures are written in your hearts. However, how you say it matters for what comes out from your mouth reflects your heart. You can either sound really helpful or a noisy gong. Gosh, I would not want to be a noisy gong. 1st Corinthians 13:2 says " And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.". Knowledge isn't everything. You may know the right answers but you miss out love, you are nothing. You hear me, the word used is 'nothing'. And if one claims they bring the truth to a hurting person as such and convinced they are right but misses out love is not the complete gospel anymore and hence not the gospel.
Some have told me, "The gospel is not just love. Why keep focusing on love? What is important is the word (scriptures)!" to which I go, are you assuming my focus on love means I neglect the word? Jesus came to the Earth full of grace and truth and ministered to others full of grace and truth. Not just.....truth. Which is harsh. No doubt the truth hurts, but that is not what I am emphasizing am I? It is being able to discern and have wisdom in what you say for your words can either build or break a person.
Tell me honestly, a person who is suffering really needs to hear Jesus died for them? Really? My answer is yes but not at that point of time. The gospel is relevant in a sense where knowing God is sovereign and his Agapic love is constant and reliable through the cross, you can trust in His character enough that he will be faithful in journeying with you. His ways are after all higher than ours. Again, I do not want to get into some theology talk where desiringgod.com, gospel coalition or relevant magazine can provide. What I ask is that you reflect for a moment =)
There are times when I too may be guilty of this. I fall short all the time. Pride is an issue every one struggles with where they do not notice. Coming to terms with it usually needs another to tell me up front. Finally I am not a counselor or some therapist that actually knows how to deal with grief or what not. What I dare say is, I can be (as humanly possible) the friend and listening ear providing encouragement and support.
So....How helpful is the truth? Wrong question to ask isn't it?
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