ESOCS Devotional 25 June 2022
TEXT: EPHESIANS 4:1-16
MEMORY VERSE: “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” Ephesians 4: 15 KJV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
In our text, Apostle Paul reminds us of the importance of walking worthy of our vocation with all lowliness and meekness (Ephesians 4: 1-2). Jesus, our Head, supplies us with truth that equips us to attain to unity and maturity in Him. This seems strange in the boisterous world that believes that truth is relative. But, the Church is the pillar and foundation of the truth, which speaks the truth in love. That truth, His Word, is a living and active, double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12-13), that we wield as part of the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), as we wage war differently from the world (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
We must make sure the character of our speech is Christ-honoring. While the truth is vitally important, we all know that there is a big difference between someone who “tells it like it is” and someone who speaks the truth in love. Sadly, we can use the truth to hurt, manipulate, and cut down one another in order to elevate ourselves. Our words must be Christ-honoring and loving. Everything we say should be filtered through the two great commands Jesus gave: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37-39).
Before any word comes out of our mouth, we should ask, “Does this stir up love for God? Does this encourage love for others?” In order to determine whether or not what you say is truly loving, put it through the test of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”
Every church has the responsibility to be healthy; and a healthy church is known by its willingness to put away falsehood and speak the truth in love to one another.
- Does your conversation with people stir up love for God and men?
- Lord, help me to speak the truth in love at all times that your name will be glorified in my life.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 52:1-10; 62:–12; Revelation 5:1–14
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ESOCS Devotional 25 June 2022
