But the aim of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Some have strayed from these and turned away to empty discussion.
1 Timothy 1:5-6 NET
Paul had sent Timothy to Ephesus because of false teachers who had crept into the church. These men were teaching false doctrines and promoting useless speculations rather than God’s redemptive plan (1 Tim. 1:3-4). And Timothy was to instruct these men to stop.
But stopping the spread of false teaching was not enough. Jesus’ letter to the church in Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7) indicates that they had silenced those promoting false doctrines. But Jesus still had something against them. They had left their first love. And that was a serious matter.
Doctrinal integrity should promote love. Love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. As we teach, learn, and discuss God’s word, it should be with the goal of moving us toward loving God with all we are and loving those around us–promoting Christlikeness.
But how often are we so concerned about promoting what we believe is the correct doctrine that we forget the goal of promoting love and unity? When we do, our teaching and discussion of the Bible become nothing more than an empty discussion.
Having correct beliefs is important. And countering false doctrine and useless speculation is good. But as we do, we should never lose sight of love. Each of us should seek to have a love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith–a love that should be reflected in our doctrinal discussion with other believers. And the goal of our doctrinal debate should not be simply to teach or correct. It should be to promote love. Let love guide our discussions.
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
Ephesians 4:15 NIV
