Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Maintaining Doctrinal Purity - Evangelical Caucus/Devotional
Gracetoyou.org ^ | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

Posted on 08/23/2026 4:01:52 AM PDT by metmom

"[Love] rejoices with the truth" (1 Cor. 13:6).

Love never compromises God’s Word.

Paul has just given us a list of things that love does not do: become jealous, brag, act arrogantly or unbecomingly, seek its own, become provoked, keep track of wrongs suffered, or rejoice in unrighteousness. Now he comes to the first of five things love does: "[Love] rejoices with the truth" (v. 6).

The contrast in verse 6 is between love's inability to rejoice in unrighteousness and its joy when truth prevails. "Truth" refers to God's Word, which is the standard of righteousness. Paul could have said, "Love doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness but rejoices with righteousness," but he went beyond the mere deeds of righteousness and addressed its standard and motive.

Love won't tolerate false doctrine or sinful behavior, but it rejoices when God's Word is taught and obeyed. The psalmist said, "O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day. Thy commandments make me wiser than my enemies. . . . I have more insight than all my teachers . . . . I understand more than the aged. . . . I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Thy word. I have not turned aside from Thine ordinances, for Thou Thyself hast taught me. How sweet are Thy words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way" (Ps. 119:97-104). That's the testimony of one who rejoices in the truth.

Often Christians are willing to compromise sound doctrine for the sake of loving others. They believe that doctrinal precision is somehow divisive and unloving. But Scripture says, "This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. . . . For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, that you might not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward" (2 John 6-8).

Biblical love always operates within the parameters of God's Word and spiritual discernment (Phil. 1:9-10). The most loving thing you can do is live according to biblical truth. Doctrinal compromise simply diminishes the quality of love and plays into the hands of the evil one.

Suggestions for Prayer

-Ask God for wisdom and discernment to keep your love within its proper biblical bounds.

For Further Study

-Memorize Philippians 1:9-11.


TOPICS: Evangelical Christian; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS: gty
Message from Jim Robinson:

Dear FRiends,

We need your continuing support to keep FR funded. Your donations are our sole source of funding. No sugar daddies, no advertisers, no paid memberships, no commercial sales, no gimmicks, no tax subsidies. No spam, no pop-ups, no ad trackers.

If you enjoy using FR and agree it's a worthwhile endeavor, please consider making a contribution today:

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you,

Jim


1 posted on 08/23/2026 4:01:52 AM PDT by metmom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Alex Murphy; boatbums; CynicalBear; daniel1212; ealgeone; Elsie; Gamecock; HossB86; Iscool; ...

Studying God’s Word ping


2 posted on 08/23/2026 4:02:18 AM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: metmom

Reminds me of the qualifications of an overseer:

Titus 1:7-11 (ESV)
[7] For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
[8] but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
[9] He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. [10] For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.
[11] They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.


3 posted on 08/23/2026 5:59:55 AM PDT by kosciusko51
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: metmom
I don't know if anyone studies the bible here to the point that this would make any difference, but it is important to know this about the Strong's concordance that a lot of people do use. Once you know why they corrupt the concordance it you will do you good if you are using the newer versions. Making changes to fit the NIV and other bibles is a bad idea right off the bat.

AI overview:

4 posted on 08/23/2026 7:58:48 AM PDT by Karl Spooner
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: metmom
Maintaining Doctrinal Purity

Depends on which mountain you're on.

5 posted on 08/23/2026 8:14:35 AM PDT by Jim W N (MAGA "by restoring the Gospel of the Grace of Christ (Jude 3) and our Free Constitutional Republic!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson