Everyone Needs Truth and Love
By David Faust
On a shelf in my office sits a 4-by-6-inch frame containing this short message: “Teach the Bible, Love the People.” That little plaque reminds me about two key priorities in ministry found in Romans 10.
Teach the Bible
“Faith comes from hearing the message” (Romans 10:17). Everyone needs to hear God’s Word. “And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (v. 14). The apostle Paul summed up his ministry by saying, “I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house” (Acts 20:20). His goal? “To proclaim to you the whole will of God” (Acts 20:27). That is my job as a minister of the gospel, too, and it must be a priority for the church.
If we don’t teach God’s Word, who will? Will others hear it from the secular media? Will they get it from the government? Will they stumble onto it online? Parents have a sacred duty to integrate scriptural truth into our families’ daily lives, and not merely rely on others to educate our children. Moses instructed the Israelites to keep God’s commandments in their hearts. “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
Preachers, our goal is not to entertain the crowd, show off our speaking skills, parrot popular speakers, or push our personal viewpoints. Our job is to proclaim the Word of God, allowing biblical truth to inform, persuade, and shape our listeners. Jesus told us to make disciples, baptizing them “and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).
The Scriptures show us how to obey what Jesus called the greatest commandments: to love God and love our neighbors. That’s why Paul told Timothy, “Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 4:13). The prophet Jeremiah considered God’s Word a fire in his bones that he couldn’t hold in (Jeremiah 20:9). May that same fire always burn in us.
Love the People
Teaching the Bible doesn’t have to be a dull, dry transfer of information. Before Paul talked about preaching in Romans 10, he expressed his love for others. He started the chapter by saying, “My heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved” (Romans 10:1). One chapter earlier, Paul said, “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart” for those who don’t know Christ (Romans 9:2). The love of Christ—sincere concern for others—motivated him.
Bars and coffee shops are popular, not just because of alcohol and caffeine. Our neighbors are seeking connection, compassion, and community. If the church doesn’t love people well in every season of life, where will they turn? Who will walk with them from birth till death? Who will listen to their questions, shoulder their burdens, and care for them in times of need? Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
“Speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15)—that’s the prescription for a healthy, maturing church. Those two key priorities will never go out of style. Everyone needs to know God’s will, and everyone needs to be loved.
Personal Challenge: Do your church’s programs prioritize teaching God’s Word and loving/serving people? How do you personally spend your money and your time? Do your own budget and calendar show that teaching the Bible and loving others are high priorities for you?
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