Today's Devotional

 

October 17 , 2007

                                                                                  

Subject:   The Truth/Love Balance 

Ephesians 4:14 - 15 "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:"

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As we look at the scriptural passage above, we can see that it speaks to maturity.  It says that we shouldn't be children any longer carried away with the latest doctrines or fads.  The other point I believe it makes concerning our maturity is our ability to balance truth and love in our interactions with others.  This is a most difficult task but will ultimately determine the measure of our success in living out the life God has for us.

It sounds strange to say that there can be too much love or too much truth so the proper perspective is to say that there is an improper balance of love and truth.  Surely God asks us to love, but love without a proper measure of truth compromises its stand and can lead to sin.  On the other side, truth without love can never achieve it's goal because truth without a proper balance of love is mean, prideful and hateful.  The bible is replete with stories of those who exercised an improper balance of love and truth.

Understand today that there is no magic formula which tells you when to exercise more love and when to exercise more truth.  The only way it can work is to be completely submitted to Christ.  When we are, the truth and love balances perfectly.  When we aren't the scales are not balanced and we're going to have issues.   

Carlen