As we grow in our faith, we give Jesus control of our lives. One thing we are called to do is to speak the truth. This devotion looks at witnessing by speaking the truth through love.
Nuggets
- Disciples need to speak the Truth — Jesus.
- We are to grow our relationship with God.
- Jesus is the Head of the church, putting Him in control, not us.
As we grow in our faith, it is our job to share that faith with nonbelievers. Paul tells us that we are to do that through love.
Let's Put It into Context
“so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles” (Eph. 4: 14 RSV).
Paul just came off of a couple of verses where he paints pictures for us. The first was that of a child who grows to be an adult. He was emphasizing the changes that have to take place in order to make appropriate decisions.
The imagery of a storm at sea was also used. Waves crashing, ships tossing, wind howling, and lightening flashing evokes the upheaval we feel at times.
Speak the Truth
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Eph. 4: 15 RSV)
This group of verses start with the word rather. That takes it back to the previous verses and the topic Paul was discussing. He was saying disciples should grow in their faith.
To do this, Paul says we need to speak the truth. What is the truth? Jesus said, “… I am the way, the truth, and the life …” (Jn. 14: 6 KJV).
We aren’t to grow so we can become proud of ourselves. We aren’t to grow to become more successful according to the worldview definition.
We are to grow our relationship with God. It is all about our worshiping God. We know that because Paul goes on to say that disciples have to “… grow up in every way into him …” (Eph. 4: 15 RSV).
Remember, back in verse 12, Paul talked about “… the perfecting of the saints …” (Eph. 4: 12 KJV). Our goal is to become perfect, knowing that isn’t going to completely happen until we get to heaven.
Still, we have to work toward that goal. That is growing toward perfection.
Jesus Is the Head
“from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love” (Eph. 4: 15-16 RSV)
Paul had previously called the church the body of Christ. He expanded this description to identify Jesus as the Head of the body.
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Think about our heads for a minute. That is where our brains are, so that is where we think. With our mouths, we talk and eat. We hear, see, and smell with things on our head. Here is where our emotions and feelings start.
In other words, our head controls everything.
So, Jesus is the Head of the church. He is in control, not us.
We should be dependent on Him, not independent of Him. He has control, not us.
That really goes against the worldview doesn’t it?
Making the Connections
Sometimes these days, speaking is challenging, isn’t it? This is especially true when a disciple is talking with a nonbeliever.
It doesn’t change things. We still have to speak the truth. We can’t compromise.
Yes, the world wants us to compromise. They want to be in control of themselves and not have any consequences for their actions.
We have to tell them the Truth — we are talking their spiritual life or death. We can’t not share.
But we have to speak in love. With the world’s skewed definition of love, this isn’t easy.
Contrary to popular belief, love is not tolerance. That puts us in control, not the Head — Jesus.
How Do We Apply This?
We need to speak the truth with love. We do have to watch how we say things.
Have you ever written an email or a text that was taken the wrong way? Did you say something and have it taken wrong?
That is what we have to keep in mind when witnessing to others. So, what do we do?
If we can, it is good to build a relationship with those to whom we are witnessing. That way we can learn to speak the words that will mean the most to them. We can see what their fears are as well as for what they are searching.
Speaking the truth in love means not debating. It may be hard to keep the conversations from heading this direction. We have to answer questions nonbelievers have, but we are not trying to highlight our differing viewpoints. We are trying to show them God’s love for them.
We have to speak truth with love. We cannot speak love without truth because, if we do, nonbelievers may not realize they need the ABCDs.
The ABCDs of Salvation
A – admit our sins
B – believe His Son Jesus is our Redeemer
C – confess God as Sovereign Lord
D – demonstrate that commitment by making any changes needed in our lives to
live the way in which God has called us
If you have not become a believer in Christ, please read through the Plan of Salvation and prayerfully consider what God is asking you to do.
Loving Father. You have established Jesus as he Head of the church. He is a perfect example for us to follow when speaking with others about their need to make You Lord of their lives.Lord, we know that we will just be Your mouthpieces. Give us the words to say that will mean the most to them to show them their need of You. Help us to boldly do Your Will. Amen.
What do you think?
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