JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is Speaking the Truth in Love.
Ephesians 4:15 explains what happens when God’s people follow through on this practice.
“We will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”
Jesus came to us full of grace and truth. Grace gives second chances. Grace forgives sin, restores relationships, and builds faith. Grace extends life and peace to those who will embrace the Gospel.
Truth upholds God’s standards and reveals God’s will for our lives. Jesus equated the truth to His teachings, which has the power to set us free.
When the truth is spoken in love, God’s people are blessed with spiritual growth and greater unity in Christ.
Speaking the Truth in Love is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK -Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Ephesians 4:15 and 16.
“Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Before we send a message to someone, it is good to ask these two questions: “Is it truthful?” and “Is it loving? Words of truth without love can come across as blunt and hurtful. On the other hand, words meant to build up, but not grounded in honesty amount to empty flattery.
But when we speak the truth in a spirit of love, good things happen. People are encouraged to grow in their relationship with God. The trust factor is strong. There is a greater atmosphere of freedom to be honest about our struggles because of the support structure that is in place. When this is happening in the church, God’s people grow together in love, and character is transformed more and more into the likeness of Christ.
Speaking the truth in love is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
