The Love of the Truth by H. C. Balsbaugh

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Dec 18, 1907

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 33, No. 51.

The Love of the Truth.

By H. C. Balsbaugh

BY this scripture we know that the receiving of the love of the truth is salvation, and not receiving it is to perish. Because men are naturally so ignorant of the meaning of God's blessing of salvation they do not feel concerned for the love of the truth in order to obtain salvation; but their love for investigation and searching out things from beginning to end for their own purpose shows a perverted practise of this principle. The principle of the love of a thing is our only guide for right reasoning from cause to effect.

It is because the love of the truth has not been received that Satan can do all his work of unrighteousness in men. And now Satan is doing his work to the extent that it is one of many other signs that the last days are upon us, and proves also to what awful length this disregard of God's word leads.

The love of the truth leads to a knowledge of the truth, and to living it, as surely and naturally as the love of God leads us to keep His commandments. See 1 John 5:3.

Consider that the love of the truth is the principal thing taught in this text. It teaches that every soul of us must now, in this life, come into possession of love—the love which is of God, in order to learn the truth of His word. Love, our possession of it, its relation to truth, are all bound together in this text, but love stands out as the price of salvation. Love rewards with a knowledge of the truth, as hungering and thirsting after righteousness (Matt. 5:6) rewards with righteousness.

Let us then gladly and thankfully cast off all wrong motives, which are many, in reading and studying the Scriptures of truth. And let us solemnly consider the sum of this great matter; namely, those that receive the love of the truth are saved; those that do not, perish. There are only two issues, one glorious, the other awful; there is no middle ground. H. C. BALSBAUGH.