Speak the truth in love...

Grace isn't ignoring the sin... Grace acknowledges the sin so repentance and reconciliation can take place. But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all into Him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together "><k=">k</a>">by what every joint supplies, according to the "><l=">l</a>">proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Ephesians 4:15 & 16

speaking... The truth isn't to be kept silent. It is not loving to remain silent when you see me believing a lie. Nor is it loving to point out a lie that I am believing without pointing me to the truth. Help me to recognize the lie that I am believing and to replace it with truth. the

truth

... There was a time when I would claim to never lie. I eventually learned that the person I lied to the most was myself. in

love... 

If I am approaching you in love, I will not be pointing a finger at you. I will not be flinging hurt at you, rather I will be  hurting with you. Love sees through the rose-colored glasses of Jesus' blood. It doesn't ignore the hurt. It sees through the lens of pain and sacrifice.

we

are ... We need to speak the truth and we need to hear it being spoken to us. This goes both ways. We need to lovingly guide as well as lovingly receive guidance. Humility is not offended when other people realize you aren't perfect, and call you on it. to grow up in all aspects  - individual spiritual maturity, becoming more like Christ into Him who is the head, even Christ - individuals maturing within the corporate body spiritually will result in the spiritual maturity of the Body of Christ Lord, Help me to speak the truth in love into the lives of others as I disciple and to receive that truth with a teachable heart as I am  being discipled. May my false pride not get in the way of striving toward maturity in You. When I feel that pride rising in me, remind me of the truth of Your grace... that I am wretched, that  I deserve hell... but You love me so much that You pursued reconciliation. You love me in spite of myself. The only pride I can claim is in the fact that I am Your beloved. You are Truth. You are Love. Thank you for pursuing me. Help me to pursue becoming more like You. -me