Truth in Love

"Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." Ephesians 4:14-15

I came across this passage this week as I was preparing for the children's lesson on Sunday. Ephesians 4 speaks of Christians living in unity and how we are to be children of light. So often, we Christians stray from this ideal. Why? Because, though saved by God's Grace, we aren't always so 'graceful' towards other believers. Despite our differences in doctrine, for the most part, we are in agreement on the Nature and Character of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit - The Holy Trinity. We are in agreement that the Bible is the perfect, infallible, inspired WORD of God! We know that we are all members of the BODY OF CHRIST! So why then, do we Christians go around criticizing and judging one another? Why are we so busy pointing out the splinter in our brother's eye when we have a HUMONGOUS LOG sticking out of our own?

Please, let's be real, here. I struggle myself every single day with loving my brothers and sisters the way I should. I'm not just talking about loving my church family, though I do love them very deeply. I'm speaking of ALL my Christian brothers & sisters in this great big world. I don't always agree with their specific interpretations of Scripture, but I can disagree in love. Isn't that what God wants of us? I mean, if we aren't loving each other, despite our differences, then how will the world truly know that we are Children of Light? However, we need to be sure that we are ingrained in God's Truth, putting on the full armor of God, so that we are not tossed about or easily swayed by false teachings. Yet at the same time, we must not confuse loving our brothers & sisters with tolerating false doctrine.

So, instead of passing judgement or criticizing our brothers & sisters, let us "speak the truth in love, growing in everyway more and more like Christ." Love one another this week!

Grace and peace to you!
In His Love, Cathy