Truthfulness Like Christ

Focus: Ephesians 4:15 - KJV

15. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

1 John 3:16-23

The whole essence of Christ’s being is love, for God is Love; and if we must be Christ-like we must, by the help of the Spirit, speak the truth in love. There are some truths spoken to hurt or demonize others. Such truth is not spoken in love. This is not to give approval to supporting evil deeds, but where the “truth” to be spoken is towards life, it is spoken in love. Where, however, it portends against life, then it is not in love. Christ is a life giver. If we must be like Him, we must also do all things with a view to giving, preserving or endearing life, and never against it. That which a person would say which, though factually correct, portends evil for another, is not truth spoken in love.

After Jesus healed the impotent by the pool called Bethesda, He met him again and told him the truth in love saying, go and sin no more less something more grievous happens to you. That is love, in making him realize the truth that he got into that situation because of sin and to prevent a worse recurrence, he must abstain. On another occasion, a woman was to be stoned to death who was said to have been caught in the very act of adultery. Jesus did not contest the truth of the woman’s sin but spoke the truth in love to others, saying, why would you have the blood of this woman in your hands when you are equally sinners yourselves?

The Lord is asking us to be more loving like Christ in dispensing that which we call the truth, without necessarily lying. Those who do lie will not make the kingdom of God. Nonetheless, that truth that is spoken with the heart of hatred or devoid of love will not make it either. The essence of the truth is love. If love is defeated in truth spoken, it no longer serves the purpose of God. The Lord is asking that we search our hearts and have clear and good intentions before saying that which we call the truth so that it will not end up ensnaring us ourselves. Only truth spoken in love makes us grow in stature to the fullness of Christ over time.

Please pray:

Father, thank you for giving me the heart to decipher good from evil. From today, help me to be more like Christ from truth spoken even as love is shown continually in all that I say, in Jesus’ name. Let me not with my mouth cause the destruction of any other, in Jesus’ name. Help me to speak the truth in love always, dear Lord, in Jesus’ name. And from now on, let me bear the semblance of Christ in the sight of every man, in Jesus’ name.

Please share with others. God bless you.