Love Speaks - I Corinthians 13:6 - Tells the Truth

Each day our lives are affected by the concepts and beliefs we have chosen to adopt as part of your moral value system. Interwoven in our belief system are many outside influences, which have helped us to embrace what we consider as truth for our present life.

Truth is a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like.  It is also defined as being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something.

Truth is what is true in any matter under consideration.  Its purpose is to appertain to the principles of God, which will lead to personal excellence and reverence of Him. 

When truth prevails the people excel.  John 14:6 reads, “Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.” Absolute truth is found in Christ. 

The bible has been a bestseller for many years, and it is one of the most investigated books in history.  When a religion wants to prove its legitimacy, it compares itself to the bible.  When a person wants to prove they are telling the truth, they put their hand on the bible.  The bible is the foundation for our laws, moral values and moral criticism.

Truth exists and you must find the truth, believe the truth, speak the truth, act on the truth and defend the truth. 

Love speaks truth eye to eye with all people. 

There is no need to cover for anything spoken in truth.  Truth is the balance scale upon which all spoken words should be weighed. 

Love rejoices in the truth.  It gets joy when truth prevails in such a generation as this.  Truth is not always popular, but it is always right.

Christians have just as much right to live out their beliefs as anyone else. We do not force our beliefs on anyone, but we are commanded to set the captives free.  The only way to set captives free is through the absolute truth of Christ.

You have been given the Spirit of God to guide you into all truths.  Simply put He is there to make sure you know what the will of the Father is for whatever life presents to you.  The voice you often refer to when you realize you have made a wrong decision is usually His voice directing you against the norm into the perfect will of God. 

Truth Test

1.     Does it align with the Word of God?

2.     Will it please God?

3.     Will it positively benefit the plan of God for His creation?

4.     Will what you are following help someone outside of yourself?

13 Day Love Challenge

      Day 9   

Send a donation to an organization that is standing for the truth in our culture.

 (ex. Crisis pregnancy center, outreach ministry outside your church) 

Donation can be clothes, money or time. 

Get involved in the truth.

Love Speaks Courageous Grace and Acceptance of Others

The hardest part in allowing love to speak is our unwillingness to perceive things with others in mind.  It is natural for people to do whatever with bring them pleasure.  The work begins when you join Christ in refusing to be touchy and resentful toward a person you think is wrong, but rather speak words of affirmation and satisfaction.

Before Jesus received the news of Lazarus’ death, He had performed many miracles in the eyes of the people.  He had taught truths concerning living life as God had prescribed. However the people still doubted Him. 

Upon arriving at the house of Mary, Martha and Lazarus Jesus was greeted with an angry word of disappointment from Mary, “If you would have been here my brother would not have died.” When He asked where the body was laid, He was answered with another word of doubt, “He stinks now.”

Jesus could have responded with resent and frustration at their doubt and unbelief but instead, He wept.  He wept because of their limited vision of Him.  He wept because of their doubt and despair.  He wept because although He had taught them to only believe and have faith, yet they were still filled with unbelief. Jesus wept.

When you are pushed to your boiling point, remember Jesus wept. When disappointment and indignation fill your heart, remember Jesus wept.  In the event that someone’s limited view of your ability exasperates you, remember Jesus wept.

Why remember you may ask?  You remember because you too have committed acts that cause the Spirit of God to be grieved.  You remember because grace is measured to you when judgment is warranted.  You remember because you embody His Spirit and in doing so you have been instructed to speak love.

You are never expected to agree with everything, everybody does but you are expected to be concerned about the outcome of their actions.  You may resent the fact that your daughter married that person because you know what the road holds ahead.  Rather than rehashing your resentment, find something that will bring God pleasure and satisfaction in the union.  One such thing is, they honored God’s expectation and married over sexual immorality. 

Jesus’ weeping did not change the resurrection of Lazarus neither should your weeping block the purpose you are to serve.  Weep but keep trusting God knows what He is doing.  Weep but keep believing all things are working for the good and glory of God.

Love Speaks courageous grace and acceptance of Gods unfolding plans in life.

13 day Challenge 

Day 7

Send a note of encouragement to a person you think you can fulfill their responsibility better than they are doing. (Ex. A mother who you think is not performing her task well.)