The higher truth of love

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Give me liberty, or give me death!

Patrick Henry uttered this declaration in 1775, yet I heard it repeated last week in the context of the novel coronavirus. In such a time as this, we should recognize that there are competing truths. It is true that we want to contain COVID-19. It is true that we want to reopen our economy. It is true that we should guard against authoritative government. Long ago, Pontius Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). The question for us — what is the higher truth?

As Americans, we hold certain truths to be self-evident about equality. At various points in our history, we have also recognized that equity calls for sacrifice and service. I believe that people of different faiths and traditions find agreement in the claim that the greatest commandment is to love one another (John 13:34). Jesus taught that the greatest love is laying down your life for another (John 15:13). As Christians, then, our responsibility to others is a higher truth than our individual rights. I think there are times when the same may be said for citizens.

During this pandemic, we must willingly forgo certain personal freedoms, for we have a higher calling to the common good, including those who are most vulnerable to infection and those taking care of the sick. The higher truth is our responsibility to love our neighbors.

I think that people of faith are called to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) to our fellow citizens, including our elected officials. This is difficult, for any claim to a higher truth will arouse opposition. To be clear, I am not siding with one political party against the other, for both fall decidedly short of the higher calling of Christ. I love how the old hymn puts it, “Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.”

Not to go all Greek on you, but I find it poignant that the word in the original language of the New Testament for “abide” is meno, which gives us our word mentor. As we speak the truth in love, we don’t need more partisan talk. We need more mentors.

Thinking of mentors, there was an older gentleman in the church of my youth. Truth be told, Mr. Henry was a rather prickly fellow. You might say he was from the old school. But Mr. Henry took a liking to me, in part, to encourage my mischievous streak. Mr. Henry taught me to cheat at cards!

These card games took place on mission trips after a long day’s work in the hot sun. One afternoon, we were shingling a roof. As Mr. Henry said, “We’d best get at it.” There was a storm brewing on the horizon. I, however, abruptly decided to climb down from the roof and rest under a shade tree. I figured I’d earned the right to a break.

Mr. Henry stomped over and crossed his arms over his chest. He didn’t say a word but I knew darn well that I’d best speak for myself: “Mr. Henry, I just gave out.”

He replied, “You didn’t give out. You gave up.”

Andrew Taylor-Troutman is the pastor of Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church and author of Gently Between the Words: Essays and Poems. He is currently working from home with his wife and three children.