Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion;
they will not be defeated but will endure forever.
Psalm 125:1 (NLT)
In His Love, Cathy
Monday, November 18, 2013
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Ephesians 4:14-16
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. 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. 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.
One hallmark of a mature Christian is the ability to speak the truth in love. People do not always like hearing the truth, however, when confronting someone with the truth we are to do so in the spirit of love - love for Christ and love for the other person.
So many people in today's society take pride in speaking the truth to others and feel justified in doing so. However, many times these confrontations are not done out of love. Instead, they are done out of hurt, pride, or uncontrolled emotions. Many times, we think simply because we are in the right (and have Biblical backup) that we can just charge in - like a bull in a China shop - and hit the person with the truth.
But what does that accomplish for Christ? Absolutely NOTHING! In fact, these kind of tactics can chase people away from the church and from the cross!
The whole purpose in confronting others with the truth in love is for them to recognize the truth, repent, and turn back to Christ. And this has a greater chance of success if the person sees just how much you truly care about them. Just because we are on the side of truth does not give us the right to cast stones, persecute, or be insensitive (or be a jerk)! We are in the business up building up the Body of Christ - NOT tearing it down!
I have experienced people in life who have 'confronted me in truth' with mean spiritedness. Often these confrontations have been from afar - sometimes anonymously- through a phone call, email, comment on my blog, facebook messages, etc... How is that being the mature Christian? How is that loving me as a sister in Christ? But you know what? There have been times where I myself have done this as well...and I am ashamed I have! It is our human nature. But Christ has called us to be better than this!
So how should truth in love work? We ask God to help us love the person as much as He does. We ask Him to help us forgive this person and set aside our own personal hurts...and at times this is the hardest part for us. We do not have to bury or hide our hurt, but deal with it in a spiritually healthy manner so that it does not poison our witness for Christ. We ask God to help us when we speak the truth to this person - that he prepares their hearts in advance. We ask God to help this person see the truth and repent. And we ask God to give us the strength, wisdom, and self-control in handling ourselves or we too can succumb to sin. And when we are the ones who are confronted, we need to ask God to examine our hearts and show us His truth!
We all have good intentions to live for the Lord. However, in our dealings in this imperfect world, we can overstep our bounds in doing what is right the wrong way.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get the whole tough love thing. But even in a 'tough love' situation, love is still part of the equation. But whether we are sharing the Truth of the Gospel or offering correction, when we speak truth it needs to be from the love we have for God and for the person.
Lord, help me have a heart of love for others. Mold my heart so that I can forgive as you have forgiven me. Grant me the patience, wisdom, and courage when I need to speak the truth in love. Help me not to harbor hate, bitterness, or mean spiritedness. Help me to help others. Help me to build up the church and live in peace with others. Help me to live for you today!
In His Love, Cathy
Ephesians 4:14-16
One hallmark of a mature Christian is the ability to speak the truth in love. People do not always like hearing the truth, however, when confronting someone with the truth we are to do so in the spirit of love - love for Christ and love for the other person.
So many people in today's society take pride in speaking the truth to others and feel justified in doing so. However, many times these confrontations are not done out of love. Instead, they are done out of hurt, pride, or uncontrolled emotions. Many times, we think simply because we are in the right (and have Biblical backup) that we can just charge in - like a bull in a China shop - and hit the person with the truth.
But what does that accomplish for Christ? Absolutely NOTHING! In fact, these kind of tactics can chase people away from the church and from the cross!
The whole purpose in confronting others with the truth in love is for them to recognize the truth, repent, and turn back to Christ. And this has a greater chance of success if the person sees just how much you truly care about them. Just because we are on the side of truth does not give us the right to cast stones, persecute, or be insensitive (or be a jerk)! We are in the business up building up the Body of Christ - NOT tearing it down!
I have experienced people in life who have 'confronted me in truth' with mean spiritedness. Often these confrontations have been from afar - sometimes anonymously- through a phone call, email, comment on my blog, facebook messages, etc... How is that being the mature Christian? How is that loving me as a sister in Christ? But you know what? There have been times where I myself have done this as well...and I am ashamed I have! It is our human nature. But Christ has called us to be better than this!
So how should truth in love work? We ask God to help us love the person as much as He does. We ask Him to help us forgive this person and set aside our own personal hurts...and at times this is the hardest part for us. We do not have to bury or hide our hurt, but deal with it in a spiritually healthy manner so that it does not poison our witness for Christ. We ask God to help us when we speak the truth to this person - that he prepares their hearts in advance. We ask God to help this person see the truth and repent. And we ask God to give us the strength, wisdom, and self-control in handling ourselves or we too can succumb to sin. And when we are the ones who are confronted, we need to ask God to examine our hearts and show us His truth!
We all have good intentions to live for the Lord. However, in our dealings in this imperfect world, we can overstep our bounds in doing what is right the wrong way.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get the whole tough love thing. But even in a 'tough love' situation, love is still part of the equation. But whether we are sharing the Truth of the Gospel or offering correction, when we speak truth it needs to be from the love we have for God and for the person.
Lord, help me have a heart of love for others. Mold my heart so that I can forgive as you have forgiven me. Grant me the patience, wisdom, and courage when I need to speak the truth in love. Help me not to harbor hate, bitterness, or mean spiritedness. Help me to help others. Help me to build up the church and live in peace with others. Help me to live for you today!
In His Love, Cathy
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