Truth in Love to One Another

Transcript

Rob McFarlane: 0:59

The title of my sermon today is Speaking Truth in Love to One Another. Let's read Ephesians chapter 4, verse 15 from the English Standard Version of the Bible. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head into Christ. In a world where truth is often diluted or avoided for the sake of preference or not wanting to cause offense, God calls us as Christians to a higher standard. He says that we should speak the truth in love. Truth and love together are essential for spiritual growth and unity in the body of Christ. We're called to live with this balance by speaking the truth in love to one another. Today we're going to look at three thoughts from Ephesians chapter 4 and verse 15. Number one, truth must be spoken in love. Ephesians 4 verse 15 says, Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head into Christ. Speaking the truth must always be done in love to encourage growth and healing rather than causing harm. Truth without compassion can hurt, while love without truth leads to superficiality. We need both in our relationships. Speaking truth in love requires us to be thoughtful and intentional in our words to others. Let's read Ephesians chapter 4, verse 29 from the New International Version. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. We need to consider what we say, and when we speak, we need to speak truth, but with a heart of love. We read in John chapter 8, verse 3 to verse 11, a fascinating story or event in the ministry of Jesus. It's when the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery to Jesus. In John chapter 8, verse 11, after the accusers had left, Jesus says to her, Neither do I condemn you. And then he commands, Go and sin no more. We see when he says, Neither do I condemn you, we see his heart of compassion and love. But then we see the truth, where he calls her or commands her to come out of her sin and to begin to live in a right way. Go and sin no more. Jesus' approach demonstrates that even the most difficult truths can be spoken gently and with love, always seeking restoration. Number two, love must be strengthened by truth. Ephesians 4 verse 15 says, Rather speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head into Christ. We need to strengthen love with truth. John Stotts said, Truth becomes hard if it's not softened by love, and love becomes soft if it's not strengthened by truth. Love that's not rooted in truth becomes weak and ineffective. Authentic love, however, confronts wrongdoing, but it does it in a way that seeks the good of the other person. In a world that values acceptance over truth, God's love calls us to speak truth even when it's hard or difficult. When you love someone, you aren't afraid to correct them or confront them. But when you confront them with truth, it must be delivered with grace and wisdom, making it both powerful and palatable. Let's look at Colossians chapter 4 and verse 6. Here we're given some guidelines on how we should speak truth to others. It says, Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. When we speak to people, we should make sure that it's palatable, that it's seasoned with salt and full of grace, so that when we speak truth, they will receive it. An Old Testament example is when the prophet Nathan confronted King David after his sin with Bathsheba. And you can read about this in 2 Samuel chapter 12, verse 1 to verse 13. It's a powerful example of truth spoken in love. Nathan did not shy away from telling David the truth about his sin, but when he did so, it was in a way that led David to repentance and restoration. Nathan's truth-telling was guided by love and wisdom, and it resulted in David's spiritual growth and him becoming a more effective leader. When we avoid truth for the sake of love, it's not really real love. Genuine love speaks the truth because it seeks the other person's growth and well-being. True love does not tolerate sin but lovingly confronts it with the goal of restoration and growth. And finally, thought number three. Truth and love lead to growth. Let's read Ephesians 4 verse 15 again. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head into Christ. We see from this verse, when truth and love are combined, they lead to spiritual maturity and growth in the body of Christ. Without truth, growth is stunted. Without love, relationships break down. Together, truth and love create an environment where growth and unity will thrive. The way we deliver truth is important, and we need to consider that gentle words spoken in love lead to understanding, while harsh words create division and conflict. When you are going to speak to someone, the truth in love, be aware of the volume of your voice and the tone of your voice, because what can happen is people can misunderstand your intention because of the volume or tone of your voice. Let's read Proverbs chapter 15, verse 1. It says, A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger. Let's ensure that when we are delivering truth, it's done gently and in a heart of love so the other person receives it and has the opportunity to grow. The right word, spoken at the right time with the right heart, brings encouragement and transformation. Truth spoken in love can change lives. I love Isaiah chapter 50, verse 4, and I'll read it to you out of the English Standard Version. It says, The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens me, he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. What I love about that verse is that we can be given words that will sustain and strengthen people. And each morning we should say, Lord, use my words to encourage people. Speak to me so you can speak through me to others. Your intent, your will, your desire for them. Let them see truth and love in my words, and may these words draw them to you and to live a better life. Jesus' interaction with the woman caught in adultery in John chapter 8 not only called out her sin, but it also pointed her to a life of transformation. Go and sin no more. His words were not only truthful, but they were full of love and grace. They gave her the opportunity to change. In the same way, words when grounded in truth and love should lead others towards spiritual growth and a closer relationship with God. So, in conclusion, today we've seen speaking the truth in love is not easy, but it is essential for the health and growth of the body of Christ. It requires wisdom and grace and a heart that's grounded in both love and truth. Let's pray together. And as we do, I invite you to ask the Holy Spirit what he wants to say to you through today's sermon. What changes does he want you to make? What adjustments do you need to make in your thinking, in your actions, or in your attitudes? Let's pray together. Father God, please help us to take you at your word and to speak the truth in love to others. Help us to speak hard things with a soft heart. Help us to regulate the tone and volume of our voice as we speak. Help us to speak words that change people for good. We thank you, Lord, that you want to give us the tongue of the learned. You want to wake us in the morning with a word to sustain others. And help us speak words in season to others with a heart of love, with an attitude of love, so that they may grow and change. And I ask that you would help us to be those who receive the same. That when someone comes to us in love with truth, that we would take the opportunity to grow and change and be all that you called us to be. Holy Spirit, please speak to us now and show us what you want us to do as a result of what we've heard in today's sermon. In Jesus' name. Amen.