Ridgell's Originals

Conservatives really come down hard on the truth arguement.  If God said it, that is all that really matters.  It is easy to lose sight of people if not careful.  Those who disagree with their conclusions are quick to charge them with not caring about people.  

Liberals really come down on the side of people arguement.  Whatever is good for people -- in their view --  is all that matters.  It sure becomes hard to know what truth is that way.  Those who disagree with their conclusions often charge them with not caring about truth.  Not caring about Scripture.  

I really am convinced that it is not an either/or debate.  Standing for truth does not mean you do not care about people.  Caring about people does not mean you do not stand for the truth.

God gets it.  Loves people and loves truth.  The greatest commandment is to love God so I sure want to pay attention to what God says in the Bible.  The second is to love others.  I don't think Jesus was confused.

God loves people so much that he gave lots of stories, commands, examples, and truth to live by.  You do not have to wonder about the best life for people to live.  Do not have to depend on culture to let you know your best life.  You don't have to decide what is best for everyone.  

God made us and knows how we should live.  He loves us and nothing he ever commanded came from anything other than love.

I appreciate my liberal friends that emphasize people.  It is absolutely real lives that have to change in order to please God.  And I appreciate my conservative friends that emphasize truth.  We can't just live any way we choose and please God.

But as for me...

I love people so much that I want to only share the truth God gave us about how to live.  And I love truth/Scripture so much that I want all people to follow Jesus.

None of us have to choose between people and truth.  That is a false arguement.  It is a lie Satan uses to discredit God and to harm people.

But if you really don't love people, then beat them up with truth.  Make up your own truth and try to enforce it.

And if you really don't love truth, then encourage people to live however they want.  Play god and make up your own rules for life.

Or love people like God.  Jesus died for people.  Every one of them.  And he is the truth.  

And that's the truth.