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How do we tell the truth and yet also be loving to those around us who will feel criticized or judged by the truth? In this episode, Gary Wilkerson is joined by Matt Brown who is an evangelist to the next generation and an important voice in our times about how to balance love and truth to an unbelieving world. Gracefully holding both of these aspects of God and spiritual life in our hearts is a life-long work that we must wrestle with in order to mature.
Key Points from the Podcast
• God’s grace, love and mercy walk hand-in-hand with his justice, holiness and truth. This is shown throughout scripture and is what draws us to God and also what we are being transformed to echo into the world.
• Some believers think of truth as doctrine about the end times or the security of our salvation, and it is those things, but it encompasses more for Christians.
• All believers are called to speak the truth in love, but determining the balance between those two things is an arena that individual Christians must sort through with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, depending on their calling, gifts and God’s guidance.
• The fruit of the Spirit are a good sign of whether we’re living in love but also walking in truth. Both are necessary for developing spiritual fruit.
• Love, truth and gentleness starts at home with our spouse, children, grandchildren and other family members. There we learn to impact people for the Lord in good and godly ways.
• Studying something is a powerful way to keep an area where God wants to work in us in front of us. Christ wants to change our character so that we have the fruit of the Spirit.
Bible Verses Referenced in the Podcast
Galatians 5:22-26, Philippians 4:7, 1 Corinthians 13:1, Matthew 5:13-16
Resources Mentioned in the Podcast
• Happiness by Randy Alcorn
• Mark of the Christian by Francis Schaeffer
• The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges
• Sean Feucht: stolen guitar leads to salvation
About Matt Brown
Matt Brown is an evangelist, author of Truth Plus Love, host of Think Eternity with Matt Brown, and founder of Think Eternity, a ministry helping people find fulfillment in Jesus through podcasts, blogs, videos, outreaches and more. Matt and his wife Michelle have four children and live near the Twin Cities, Minnesota.
