“But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head even Christ.” (Eph. 4:15)

Lots in this verse. We have a target for maturity. We have a means of reaching that maturity. Let’s look at the pieces here and see if we can apply them to our own personal situation.

First: speaking the truth. We have a problem locating the truth it seems. This group or leader says they have the truth and then another group and leader come along and say they have the truth and on an on it goes. Who has the truth?

The inspired word says that it is the truth. The word of God, the Holy Book, Bible, Scriptures and what else it may be designated is the truth. “Let every man be a liar but let God be truthful.” Peter indicates that we should be careful not to give the word an individual interpretation (private). The Bible is for the world not just for me. What it says applies to all men and not just a few.

My first task then is to make sure I am speaking the truth as it is in the book not as someone says is in the book. I make sure before I teach others that I am speaking truth. The truth can set men free. God’s truth can do that. He has the words of life. Some preachers say, just do this and some teachers say, no just do that. We will be judged by the word of truth. Not just a verse but the entire message. Here is a for instance:

Some teachers say you don’t have to be baptized to be saved. Some say you do. What does the Bible say? What we should do here is find every passage we can and find out what it says is saving us. Every single one of them, not just the ones these guys or gals quote. So we read, “…whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” And then we read, “he that believes and is baptized will be saved.” Which is it? When we look at every passage we will see that many things make up the salvation story. Do we do part or all?

Second: speaking the truth in love. Once we’ve figured out that the Bible is truth and God is truth and Jesus is truth then all we need to do is tell what they say to others in love. With love for them. With love for God and his word and his son. These two things will mature us. Truth and love will make us grown up. They will serve us well in all aspects of our walk with the church and Christ.

Task for today: One, make sure its absolutely the whole truth. Two, make sure it is shared in the utmost love. If we do these two things, speak the truth in love we cannot possibly mess up.