Back in the Blogosphere

After a two week break that included time away on vacation - I am back!

This morning we looked at James 4:1-12 - especially verse 11-12 - about the importance of refusing to participate in slander or gossip about one another. I cannot convey to you how important it is that we learn to handle our relationships in a God-honoring manner. Otherwise, the consequences can be disastrous. One of the reasons I mentioned for taking this sin seriously is that it works against God's plans for us as individuals and as church.

Considering all of the good that is occurring at our church - the many people who are giving their lives to Christ, the hurting people God is bringing through our doors desperately needing a loving, caring church to help them believe again and hope again - considering all of this that is good and eternal, we must be attentive and aware of the devil's schemes.

The sermon this morning was on the importance of curbing any gossip or malicious talk and I explained that we are talking about this as a preventative measure before there is a problem. Ours is a church of very real and very human people. This sin is a familiar one in the body of Christ - that is why it gets so much mention in the New Testament.

So - what are we to do when we observe or experience the sinful behavior of another believer with whom we are in fellowship as a church family member. Clearly, we are not to speak of what we have seen or heard in a way that exposes that person to embarrassment (see "the Naked Noah Principle"). In Ephesians chapter four, Paul is describing the various functions of the church and her purpose of seeing us all grow to "full maturity in Christ." One component of that maturity is that we learn to "speak the truth in love."

SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE

This is an important idea ... most people typically fall into one extreme or another. Either we speak the truth - blunt, bold and direct ... but without much love. Often, our speech is more an expression of frustration or some other self centered perspective.

Or, we are focused on "love" to the exclusion of truth. Because we don't want to offend, we quietly look the other way when sin occurs or excuse the behaviors of the one we love. Often, we are afraid to address the sin for fear of offending or spoiling the relationship that already exists.

For most, we fall into the category of either "JERK" or "MARSHMALLOW." God's plan is something different entirely.

Speaking the truth in love means (at least):

1. We have prayed through our own emotions and are speaking in the best interest of the person we are addressing. We have curbed our hurt, frustration, aggravation, etc. before we speak ensuring what we say is not a reaction.

2. We cannot look the other way because we love this person and we know that the consequences of sin will catch up to and seriously hurt him or her.

3. We must practice personal courage. Love means doing and saying tough and uncomfortable things.

4. We must rely on God's word as our authority on life and practice. Addressing another believer who is in sin must be on the basis of God's word and not simply our own experiences or opinion.

5. We are prayerful people who depend not only on God's word but the Holy Spirit when we get involved in the life of another. We are careful to speak and behave under the leadership of the Lord.

6. We protect the one we love from exposure to unnecessary embarrassment. We pray and search the scriptures then talk to them about the matter without sharing what has happened with others. The only exception to this might be when we are unclear about what is true and we need wise counsel - then, we must proceed cautiously.

Friends, growing to maturity is a painful process full of wins and losses. Let's make it our commitment to love one another in the way we have been loved by the Lord himself. Here is that great biblical standard to measure our love for one another:

        Love is patient,
        love is kind.
        It does not envy,
        it does not boast,
        it is not proud.
        It is not rude,
        it is not self-seeking,
        it is not easily angered,
        it keeps no record of wrongs.
        Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
        It always protects,
        always trusts,
        always hopes,
        always perseveres,
        Love never fails.             1 Corinthians 13:4-8