True Love: Standing Firm in God’s Truth

“Love” is one of those words that gets used a lot in Christian circles. I’ve been to women’s conferences where the tears flowed, the music swelled, and the message was (and I say this with a little sarcasm): “Jesus loves you just the way you are.”

It sounds comforting. It feels empowering. But it’s not the whole truth. Yes, God’s love is immeasurable and unchanging, but His love is also transforming. He doesn’t leave us “just the way we are.” His love convicts, redeems, and makes us new.

The problem comes when we buy into a definition of love that looks like acceptance, affirmation, or never making anyone uncomfortable. It may feel kind in the moment, but it actually leaves people in their sin. And I’ve lived this out myself.

So let’s look at three women — Mary, Jody, and Emma — who sincerely wanted to show love, but misunderstood what true, biblical love really is.

Mary: Music Without Holiness

Mary was gifted. She could sing and lead worship in a way that drew people in. Her heart burned for something “more” than Sunday mornings. So when a local version of a popular singing competition opened up, she jumped at the chance. She invited her church friends to come cheer her on and poured herself into preparing for her big moment.

There was just one problem. The competition was hosted at a local gay bar, and the songs she chose to sing weren’t glorifying God. The atmosphere, the lyrics, the presentation… none of it pointed to Christ.

When some people raised concerns, the response sounded almost noble: “Isn’t this the perfect place to evangelize? Shouldn’t we be where people need Jesus most?” It was convincing at first. But when the night came, no evangelism happened. No gospel was shared. Mary sang her songs, won the competition, and received applause from both the crowd and her church leaders.

But blending in with the world is not the same as witnessing to it. The Lord doesn’t call us to dim His light so it feels less offensive. “As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:15). Holiness is part of our witness.

Application: If you’re tempted to think that being on the world’s stage automatically becomes a platform for Christ, pause and ask: Does this glorify Him? Evangelism never requires us to compromise worship.

Jody: Kindness Without the Gospel

Jody was the kind of person who radiated joy. Ask her what she wanted to do at church and her answer was always the same: “I just want to love on people and let them know how much God loves them.” She threw herself into serving in children’s ministry, hugging each child, eager to share “God’s love.”

Then came the day she was invited to a local pride parade. The group planned to hold “Free Hugs” signs and show everyone there they were loved. Jody couldn’t wait. This was her kind of ministry.

By the end of the day, she had hugged more than two hundred people. She came home glowing with excitement. But when her roommate asked, “What did you do after the hugs? Did you share anything more?” Jody looked puzzled. “The hugs were it,” she said. “We just wanted them to know they’re loved.”

It sounds sweet. It looks kind. But hugs don’t save souls. Paul asked a crucial question in Romans 10:14: “How are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard?” Jody’s hugs didn’t lead anyone to Christ. They left people comfortable, not confronted. Sentiment, not salvation.

Love that never speaks the truth is not really love. Ephesians 4:15 calls us to “speak the truth in love.” That means love and truth are inseparable. You cannot have one without the other.

Application: If you’re tempted to stop at kindness, remember that gestures are not enough. True love goes further; it points people to the One who can redeem and transform.

Emma: Ministry Without the Whole Counsel of God

Emma longed for women’s ministry to thrive. She wanted to see seats filled, women engaged, and events that felt meaningful. But she began to notice something: when sin, repentance, or God’s judgment came up, women shifted in their seats. Their smiles faded. The room grew quiet.

So she shifted her approach. Maybe if I keep it more positive and encouraging, they’ll want to come back. Maybe the hard stuff can wait until later.

Out came the carefully curated plans: beautiful tablescapes, just the right number of “application activities,” and speakers who were funny and light-hearted. The goal was to create an experience that felt welcoming and affirming. Women walked away saying, “I feel so loved. I feel enough. I feel accepted.”

And here’s where I need to pause and say, I know this story because I was Emma. I remember pouring hours into making women’s ministry engaging and inviting. I thought if I created the right atmosphere, then the women would eventually be ready for the deeper truths of Scripture. But what I was really doing was avoiding the very truths they most desperately needed.

Now, let me also say this: there is nothing wrong with wanting to create a beautiful atmosphere. Curating a lovely tablescape, crafting activities, or making a space feel warm and welcoming can all glorify God when they serve the greater purpose of pointing women to Him. Paul reminds us, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). The problem wasn’t the décor or the details. It was when truth was set aside and ambiance became the focus. Beauty without truth may please the eye, but it won’t nourish the soul.

Paul didn’t tell Timothy to wait until people were “ready.” He said: “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2). And to the Ephesian elders he declared: “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).

True love doesn’t shrink back from God’s Word. It trusts that even the uncomfortable parts are for our good.

Application: If you’re tempted to focus on ambiance, activities, or affirmation, remember this: only God’s Word transforms hearts. Seeker-friendly ministry may fill a room, but it will never fill a soul.

Love Without Truth Is Not Love

Mary, Jody, and Emma were all sincere. Each wanted to show love. But each fell short because their love lacked truth. Mary compromised holiness. Jody replaced the Gospel with sentiment. I (as Emma) softened Scripture to keep people engaged.

And Paul’s words cut right through it: “Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). We’ve already read this verse once, but it bears repeating because if we miss this, we’ve missed everything.

True love doesn’t leave people where they are. It doesn’t affirm them in their sin. It doesn’t water down God’s Word. True love speaks the truth with grace, even when it’s costly, even when it’s unpopular.

Standing Firm in God’s Truth

This is the kind of love the world doesn’t understand. It will be mocked as hateful. It will be dismissed as judgmental. And yet, it is the most loving thing we can offer.

Friend, the best way to love others is to stand firm in God’s truth. To trust that His Word is enough. To open our Bibles, not just for ourselves but for those we long to reach, and declare what He has said, not what culture wants to hear.

Jesus prayed to the Father, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). That’s what real love looks like: truth that sanctifies, truth that saves, truth that sets free.

So let’s be women who love like Jesus. Sacrificially, courageously, truthfully. Let’s be willing to risk awkwardness, rejection, or even ridicule for the sake of pointing others to the One who loved us enough to die for us.

Because when we stand firm in God’s truth, we are showing the very best kind of love.

Closing Scripture for Reflection

• “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden… let your light shine before others” (Matthew 5:14-16).
• “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
• “Whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:20).

True love doesn’t whisper, “Stay as you are.” It calls out, “Come to Christ and be made new.” That’s the kind of love worth standing firm for.

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