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Speaking the Truth in Love

    Are we to speak the truth to all men or are we to love all men and seek to maintain unity and harmony?

    Both and the two are not mutually exclusive. Paul tells us in Ephesians 4 that we are to “speak the truth in love..” Truth is not to be spoken like a dart thrusted nor is error to be compromised for the sake of unity. We are always sinners dealing with sinners given to extremes and pride but the knowledge and gifts that God has sovereignly given through His people are given for the instruction and edifying of the whole body.  It’s my observation that most are usually “over correcting” one way or the other, over emphasizing the importance of either orthodoxy or Christian charity. I pray for grace to being doing both. I don’t want to speak to or treat my brother unkindly or offend him but I cannot agree lightly with what I know to be untrue according to the scriptures.  I pray to be able to speak and write the TRUTH and do it in LOVE.

Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Topics: Church Bulletin Articles Neo-Gnosticism
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