642. ZEC 8:19. CHRISTIANITY A SYSTEM OF TRUTH AND PEACE

Zec_8:19. Christianity a System of Truth and Peace

"Therefore love the truth and peace."’97Zec_8:19.

Truth and peace are very important elements of moral worth and power in the world. They are essential to man’s moral elevation and real welfare. Are characteristics in the blessed Deity; and leading principles of true religion. And when the religion of the cross shall be universal, they will be the great pillars of the Redeemer’s millennial kingdom and glory. Consider their nature; our duty with respect to them; and the reasons on which that duty is grounded

I. The nature of truth and peace.

1 Truth. This signifies,

(1.) Veracity’97the opposite of falsehood. Hence, we often read of speaking the truth, etc. "I speak the truth in Christ, I lie not," 1Ti_2:7.

(2.) Sincerity’97the opposite of dissimulation. "Worship God in spirit and in truth," Joh_4:24. Paul prays that the Philippians may be sincere, etc., Php_1:10.

(3.) It is put for the testimony of the gospel. "Grace and truth." "Who hath bewitched you," etc., Gal_3:1.

(4.) It is put for the pure doctrines of Christianity, in opposition to error. "I have no greater joy," etc. See also 2 Thess. ii 10; 2Ti_3:8; 2Ti_4:4.

(5.) For the experimental knowledge of the gospel, or religious experience, in opposition to the form of godliness. "Ye shall know the truth," etc., Joh_8:32. Hence, the Spirit guides into all truth, Joh_16:13, etc.

(6.) For the Lord Jesus Christ, "He is the way, the truth, and the life," Joh_14:6. The Prince of truth.

2. Peace is the opposite of war, strife, perturbation, and contention, etc. Gospel peace implies,

(1.) A pacific state of mind towards God. No longer enemies, etc., but reconciled to God, etc., Rom_5:10.

(2.) The peace God imparted to the soul. "Peace be unto you," Luk_24:36. "The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus," Php_4:7.

(3.) A peaceable spirit towards our fellowmen. "The fruit of the Spirit is peace," etc., Gal_5:22. "Follow peace with all men," Heb_12:14.

II. Our duty to love the truth and peace.

1. What does this imply?

(1.) That we understand them. Many are ignorant of them. It implies that we have heard, pondered, and understood their nature’97that we have chosen them!

(2.) Received the truth. Had its principles implanted, etc. Welcomed peace; given them a residence in our hearts, etc.

(3.) That we delight in them, cultivate them, grow in them, give them their right prominence.

2. How will love to truth and peace be evidenced?

(1.) There will be the exhibition of them in our character and lives; words, conduct, profession, etc.

(2.) There will be the earnest maintenance and defence of them’97cannot be indifferent; and "earnestly contend for the faith," etc., Jdg_1:3. Witnesses for them’97"Truth and Peace," motto. Support them’97denying ourselves, etc. Buy them at any price, nor sell at any offer.

(3.) We shall diffuse them. By effort, by prayer, "O send out," etc.

III. Notice the reasons on which this duty is grounded.

1. On account of their intrinsic excellence. Truth is one of the brightest jewels in the crown of Deity. One of the pillars of the moral world, the girdle of the Christian warrior. It is like the light of heaven, etc. Peace is the very element of enjoyment’97the sunshine, the repose of the soul, the atmosphere of heaven, the mind of God.

2. On account of our Christian profession. We are called to "love the truth and peace," it is a main part of our religion. If we do not, who ought, and will?

3. Our love to Christ and his church. He died for their establishment in the hearts of his people; and for their embodiment in his kingdom. His church cannot be pure or prosperous without them.

4. Our compassion to the world. The world is apostate; deceived, dark, and wretched. Truth only can extricate and exalt it. Peace only can bless it, and make it happy.

Observe, in carrying out the spirit of the text,

1. The order prescribed. Truth, and then Peace. This order must not be inverted’97one is the basis, the other the superstructure; one the life, the other the spirit; one the principle, the other the emotion of the Christian character.

2. Some love truth and not peace. Hence they are bitter, intolerant, bigoted; to whom the words of Christ are strikingly applicable. "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of," Luk_9:55.

3. Some appear to love peace and not truth. These live under the influence of a false and morbid liberality. Hence they are ready to sacrifice any thing for what they denominate peace: such peace is valueless, harmonizes with sinful compromising’97gratifies the flesh, and is acceptable to Satan.

4. Truth and peace must go together: they constitute the very essence of the gospel; and, when universally diffused, will introduce the world’s millennial purity and bliss.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS