What's the story behind the blog title?

Truth is divisive.

Pilate states, "What is truth?" and then releases Barabbas to the Jews and Jesus to the cross (John 18). Jesus had just told Pilate that He was a witness to the truth and that everyone who is of the truth will hear His voice. Pilate wanted unity - at the expense of truth. Give the people what they want, my hands are clean (Matt. 27:24).

The Apostle Paul understood that truth is divisive. In Romans 16:17, he warns the brethren to, "keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching you have learned, and turn away from them." True unity was found in coming together (keep your eye on those who cause dissensions) for the purpose of withdrawing (and turn away from them).

Truth is a line in the sand.

As Christians, this seems contrary to the commandment to love one another. Rather than turn away from false teaching, we become indifferent towards it. As a man once stated in our Sunday School class a while ago - tolerance can soon lead to acceptance.

This brings to mind Paul's 1st letter to the Corinthians. In Chapter 5, Paul has heard that the church was negligent in pronouncing judgment on a member who was living with his father's wife. The Corinthians were actually boasting of their tolerance. But Paul insists that this man be removed from fellowship. Paul likens this evil to leaven, that will eventually permeate the whole church. Their boasting was misplaced. Paul writes, "Let us therefore celebrate the festival (i.e., of Christ's sacrifice), not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." (1 Cor. 5:8).

While this is one extreme example, it is a significant passage towards an understanding of
1 Corinthians 13:6 which states, "Love... does not rejoice in unrighteousness but rejoices with the truth."

Love and Truth are not at odds with each other. They are in perfect harmony with each other.
Unfortunately, our application of the two are sometimes inbalanced. Love without truth can lead to indulgence or leniency. Truth without love can lead to harshness or severity towards others. Keeping a proper balance of the two requires wisdom and discernment.

I love the truth of God's Word.
I love to see how the understanding of His Word allows us to properly love God and each other.
And that's my story behind the title of the blog.
Perhaps the title has a different meaning for you. Let me know.