Imitators of Christ

(our theme for October)

Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)

Instead, 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.

In a world filled with half-truths, hateful speech and conflicting messages, the call to "speak the truth in love" stands as a guiding principle for Christians. This verse from Ephesians reminds us of the delicate balance we are called to maintain in our interactions with others. It’s not just about speaking truth, but about doing so with love and grace.

When we speak the truth without love, our words can become harsh and unyielding. It’s easy to fall into the trap of using truth as a weapon rather than a tool for growth and understanding. This approach can lead to division, hurt feelings, and damaged relationships. The challenge is to let our truth-telling be motivated by a genuine concern for the other person’s well-being and spiritual growth.

Conversely, speaking with love but avoiding the truth can lead to complacency and a lack of real progress. While our intentions might be kind, failing to address difficult truths can prevent growth and healing. Truth-telling with love and grace requires honesty and transparency, not just soft words and pleasantries.

Jesus is our ultimate example of speaking the truth in love. His interactions were marked by a profound compassion that never shied away from addressing the deeper issues. He spoke truth to heal, to challenge, and to guide, always with a heart full of love.

Reflect on your recent conversations. Are there areas where you have spoken the truth without sufficient love, or perhaps avoided difficult truths out of fear of conflict? I know I have, many, many times. 

What are some things we can do to address these short comings?

We can ask God for wisdom and grace to approach sensitive topics in a manner that reflects His love;

We can pray for a heart that is both compassionate and truthful; and,

We can study the life of Jesus and note how He balanced truth with love and grace.

Let us Pray:

Father, thank You for the example of Your Son, Jesus, who embodied truth and love perfectly. Help me to follow His example in my own life. Give me the courage to speak the truth with grace and the wisdom to know when to address difficult topics. May my words reflect Your love and may I “grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” 

In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

This devotional was written by Gary Hensley and read by Judy Wilson.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.