Monday, August 3, 2015

Weekly Meditation - August 3rd

Greetings in the Name of Christ Jesus our Lord!

Yesterday's Epistle was Ephesians 4:1-16, and in particular let's consider verses 15 and 16, which read, "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

I hear that phrase "speaking the truth in love" quite often.  It often gets used to be guide or check on how we talk to other people - tell other folks the truth, but tell it too them in a loving way, a kind way.  And, I suppose, that is good advice.  I know it's advice that I've given on more than one occasion.  However - that's not the point of these verses.

So often when we think of "truth" or "love" we think of our opinions and our gentleness in expression those opinions.  Remember that Jesus says that He is the Truth.  Remember that we are taught that God is love.  And consider the verse again.  It's not just speaking the truth in love, but with the result, with the goal that we grow into, that we move towards Christ our Head - so that we are joined together in Him.

When Paul brings up speaking the truth in love here, he's not really talking about proper debating techniques or what have you - he is talking about proclaiming Christ's forgiveness and love - that our response to folks is not to seek our own way or our own whims - but rather to be grounded on Christ and His forgiveness Consider verse 14 - "so that we may no long be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.  Over and against all these things - the truth of the cross of Christ Jesus and His love for you remains.

This week, who knows what you will hear, what things will try to shake you?  There will be things - there are always things.  However, here is the solid rock, the way in which we as Christians are knit together.  Christ Jesus has died for your sins and risen so that you will rise as well.  Period.  This is Truth.  This is Love.  And this is where we dwell, shelter, live, and grow.

Have a great week in Him!

Pastor Brown

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