LTP
Truth and peace are two core parts of healthy relationships. They are
both sources and signs of relational health. Said another way, healthy relationships
thrive on consistently speaking the truth peacefully and living in peace truthfully.
This new set of entries brings together the previous entries on living in truth
(15) and living in peace (15): loving truth and
peace (LTP). LTP leads to living in truth and peace (honesty and harmony). It is
not easy of course. One key way to promote LTP is to regularly
have trusted others be mirrors for us and vice versa. Being
mirrors means giving feedback on behaviors, attitudes, and motives. It includes shining
a light into each others' lives regarding possible rationalizations, self-justifications,
or other distortions of reality. It helps us to not settle for the convenient substitutes of partial truths and pseudo peace.
LTP is emphasized throughout the Judeo-Christian scriptures. My favourite
example is from the 6th century BC prophet Zechariah, cited below. His
instructive words, indeed admonition, reflect the core of LTP. They are also the guiding principle for this new
set of entries.
Do not fear! These are the things which you
should do: speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for
peace in your gates. Also let none of you devise evil in your heart against another,
and do not love perjury; for I hate all these things, declares the Lord. . . .
So love truth and peace.
Zechariah 8:15–19 NASB
וְהָאֱמֶת וְהַשָּׁלוֹם, אֱהָבוּ
וְהָאֱמֶת וְהַשָּׁלוֹם, אֱהָבוּ
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