Speaking the Truth in Love

Eph. 4:15-16

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. 

In the past and not recently, I have had several people use the beginning of verse 15 as a hatchet to come and point out something [rather unkindly] that they felt was unacceptable in my life. That is such a poor use of these wonderful verses and actually the first 16 verses of this chapter. But before the positive, I want to express the negative. I don't think Scripture should ever be used as a personal instrument of judgment. God has told us clearly not to judge unless the 'judger' would be judged himself. Beyond that, should a believer take a verse or even a part of a verse out of context and then use it for his or her own purposes. Often [not always] this person is usurping the ministry of the Holy Spirit. [always dangerous to do!] And incidentally, where is the love in this 'speaking the truth'? 

The 'rather' refers back to the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. [vs. 12-13] God has gifted his children with what they need so that the body of Christ flourishes. The saints are this body! His equipping produces unity among the members of the body. No divisions! The final outcome is mature manhood, to be fully grown in Christ so that we experience and know the fullness of Christ. Such maturity as this rises above the common pettiness of the world and the normal day-to-day striving for dominance over each other. Such maturity as this seeks the good of others over their own desires. In humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others. 

By contrast Paul mentions the world's modus operandi. They are like children tossed about by each new wave of thought and each new fad. The world's children [in contrast to God's children] are carried about [as if they have no will of their own] by human cunning which they work on each other and by craftiness in deceitful schemes which they use to get their own way and to further their own agenda. Such children as these are not to be trusted, but if you are a child of the world, this is your life. This is as good as it gets! 

Now with this in mind, we have Rather, speaking the truth in love,. Paul is saying this 'rather' in contrast to the world who uses deceit and craftiness in their dealings with each other. Believers should speak the truth in love. What else can we speak it in since the love of Christ fills us through and through. And why? So we may grow up into Him in every way. This is the body of Christ. This growth into Him is where we get the final maturity, the fullness of Christ. When the body is growing itself, then love is controlling all. What a beautiful life God has given us and has equipped us to live. It is all of Him and His grace within us, yet, like Paul said, I work as hard as I can. 

Father,

Help me always to speak Your truth in love and not have my own agenda. Thank You for making me a part of the body of Christ and equipping me to grow into Christ, to maturity and the fullness of Him. Through Your grace, give me the strength I need and the presence of mind to make right decisions so that I might grow.

In Jesus name,

Amen