Welcome!
Passage: Ephesians 5 (NIV 84)
Today: Speak love; speak truth!
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. (Eph 4, NIV 84)-empasis added
The Bible, which is God’s word, has been penned by people inspired by God
God was so loving to let human beings write down His word, for you and for me!
The word of God is truth; God has been so full of love in allowing man to write it. God, who wrote the ten commandments with His own hands, could have written the whole scripture by His hand; but He wanted to give that privilege, that position, to man!
Truth is not contextual; truth is absolute. Truth is like a medicine. When given with love, it heals.
A medicine is not made according to the likes and dislikes of a person, because it has to effectively treat the root cause, not just the symptoms!
God, who is the maker of man, knows the root cause of man’s problem. So, any time man tries to dilute or manipulate God’s word, it is a serious offence towards God and man; it will be like a physician or pharmacist trying to manipulate a medicine!
Just like how a tablet is taken with liquid, truth works with love; it may hurt if a person tries to swallow a tablet without some liquid. Truth can do the opposite effect if spoken with a judgmental attitude, instead of love.
One of the failures of the church today is that it fears to speak the truth, for various(?) reasons; those who lead, may have sometimes messed up somewhere, may not be confident to speak the truth; or, they are afraid about the response from the people
But when the truth is concealed for whatever reason, it eventually hurts.
Parents give medicine to kids, even when they try to spit it; truth of God has to somehow reach the hearts of the people, even if they don’t like it; it is that important!
If a doctor, out of love, conceals the truth about a patient’s illness, that patient may end up in danger; it may also hurt, if that truth is bluntly told to that patient without any care for his/her emotions/conditions; the patient may even collapse! The right thing is to tell the truth, understanding the capacity of the person, so that he/she can take whatever steps needed, to address the problem
There is so much that the church alone can do, for the people!
There are many pearents struggling with various issues of their children; while there are so many services and facilities available in the US (thank God), the love and prayers of the church can help these struggling parents and their children a lot. Next time you see that (young) person in church who does not interact much with others, or that parent whom you know is struggling, it would be a divine act to spent a few minutes with them, talking/praying
Eventually, that is what the church is for; that is what you and me are for!
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another (in love) with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph 5, NIV 84) empasis added; “ in love” added
May God help us and bless us to do that next time!
BG
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me and for telling me the absolute truth; help me to speak the same to others, in the same kind of love that you showed to me. I am sorry for missed opportunities; help me God, to do it next time; Amen
When we skip opportunities to minister to others, we are missing the very purpose of our life!