Matt Brown - Truth Plus Love Study Guide: The Jesus Way to Influence

Christians today are facing a crisis of influence. So many people dismiss us as either being too rigid and judgmental in our convictions or too soft and easygoing in our response to challenging and complex issues. And with social media as our megaphone, we can now comment on anything and everythingoften without thinking through how it might come across to others... especially to those whose only knowledge of God comes from us.

Its one thing to stand up for our convictions. But if were only adding static to the cultural conversation, were not communicating the essence of the gospel. Similarly, we can like and friend as many people as we want, but if we are not boldly sharing the reality of who Christ is and what he did for each of us, we are also not likely to have an impact on others.

What we need is a better, more balanced way. We need to communicate the truth of our sinful condition by employing the grace and love of God. We see Jesus displaying this exact balance throughout his ministry on earth. He always relied on the foundation of Gods Word as the source of his truth even as he showed loving compassion to everyone in needthe sick, the hurting, the lonely, the grieving, and the guilty alike. He met their needs in order to uncover the deeper spiritual hunger that only his love could fill.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to show others truth plus love. The Bible talks a lot about getting this balance right. In the first half of Pauls letter to the Ephesians, he issued no direct commands to his readers other than to remember... which means he didnt tell them to do anything new. He simply called them back to the gospelthe main event of history itselfand encouraged them to be captivated by all God had done for them.

But in the second half of the letter, Paul issued forty direct commands to his readers. In effect, he was telling them what they should now do based on the truth of the gospel they had come to believe. One of these powerful commands is found in Ephesians 4:15, where Paul writes, Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ (ESV, emphasis added).

There it istruth plus lovethe formula for influencing our world. And if we do this, the promise is we will grow up in every way in Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, as you likely have come to understand, its tough to get this balance right. But that is what this study is about. In the sessions that follow, I want to help you strike this balance between truth and love as you produce the spiritual fruit that Paul outlines in Galatians 5:2223: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

As you practice the habits that yield this kind of spiritual fruit, it is my belief you will grow in your relationship with Christ and be a follower who gets the balance right... a life of standing for the truth of God while demonstrating the love of God. Its my prayer that the lessons I share, and the wisdom Ive received from the Bible as Ive walked through trials, will serve to flood your own heart with comfort, wisdom, and power from God.

So, are you ready for the journey? Lets jump in and begin.

Matt Brown