Speaking The Truth In Love. This is a phrase I never cared for. Mainly, because those who often use it are mean old biddies who think this allows them to say whatever they want, any way they want. However, I have recently been reflecting on this term coined by the Apostle Paul (not the term mean old biddies). We live in culture longing to hear some truth. By truth, I am referring to something which brings about hope, something bigger than ourselves to believe in and something which promotes the transformation of this world. As a Christian, I believe the church has this truth. Unfortunately, the Gospel of Christ has become just another choice on the shelf of truths . Perhaps this is because when the world listens to the voice of Gods people they hear nothing that distinguishes our voice from the many voices in this loud and cluttered world. Perhaps they hear the same anger and fear in our voices that permeate our culture. Thus the need for a new voice. A voice of truth tempered with love, mercy and grace. In other words, the voice of Christ. We live in a time when eternal truths need to spoken, stood for and lived out. However, truth in itself accomplishes nothing. This world was created in a spirit of love. This world has been redeemed through love. This world can only be transformed through such love. Perhaps, you are familiar with Pauls words: If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. So truth without love is pointless? If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,but do not have love, I gain nothing . So all our knowledge, works, answers without love are void and have no value? Speaking the truth in love should look something like this: ( to finish Pauls words: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. So when we speak our minds, when we speak the truth let us do so in the love Jesus Christ. The world really does appreciate truth. Truth that builds hope, helps us believe and transforms the world. But remember it is the love of Jesus Christ that transforms the world. May that love be heard in the things we say, the things we write and the silent words of our actions. Let the transformation begin!
Posted on: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 03:37:58 +0000
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