“speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him
who is the
Head, that is, Christ” Ephesians 4:15 (NIV))
Head, that is, Christ” Ephesians 4:15 (NIV))
I
don’t know about you, but I find this passage one of the most difficult in the
entire bible to carry out. On
the one hand I often that speaking the truth (at least as I perceive it) will
harm the other person, or might bring that person’s wrath upon me, or both.
On the other hand (and it’s this hand that I find easiest) I sometimes
fear that offering love with diminished truthfulness will result in condoning
wrong.
It’s
hard isn’t it? In
which direction do you lean in your relationship with your spouse,
friends or children? Does your
spouse balance your tendency? Does
that make it hard or good or both!? Here
are some wise words from Tim Keller from his book, The Meaning of Marriage:
“Love
without truth is sentimentality; it supports and affirms us but keeps us in
denial about our flaws. Truth without love is harshness; it gives us information
but in such a way that we cannot really hear it. God's saving love in Christ,
however, is marked by both radical truthfulness about who we are and yet also
radical, unconditional commitment to us. The merciful commitment strengthens us
to see the truth about ourselves and repent. The conviction and repentance moves
us to cling to and rest in God's mercy and grace.” Timothy
Keller, The
Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of
God
What
do you think?
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