Speaking the Truth in Love
100% Truth + 100% Love = 100% Jesus
Jesus never compromised the truth in order to love. Jesus never loved less because someone didn’t believe or act according to the truth. Jesus held up both all the time. As followers of Jesus, so should we.
Daily Prayer: Jesus you came to bring truth and love in abundance.
Help us to love like you and walk in your truth. Amen.
Monday, September 7
Read Ephesians 4:1-16. This is the passage of scripture which serves as the basis for our series title. In verse 15, Paul suggests that speaking the truth in love is the alternative to what kind of life (v.14)? What situations in life or current issues do you feel like are blowing you around like the wind? How does speaking the truth in love help with that?
Tuesday, September 8
Read 1 John 3:11-24. How do we know about love? What does John say love is not? How do we know the difference between real love and something else? How does obedience to God’s commands fit into this life of love?
Wednesday, September 9
Read John 15:9-16:4. How does Jesus define love? How does Jesus love us? What could Jesus’ disciples say or do that would cause the world to hate them? Is there room in Jesus’ teaching for obedience without love? Love without obedience? Why is it so important to have both?
Thursday, September 10
Read 1 Corinthians 13. Why do all these good things come to “nothing” without love? What does love bring that is so essential? Read again the description of love. Imagine a difficult situation in your life being filled with that kind of love. What is the relationship between love and truth?
Friday, September 11
Read Matthew 5:38-48. All of the situations described by Jesus (slap to the cheek, sued for tunic, etc.) make us feel like we have a right to preserve what we have or defend ourselves. Then he tells us to love our enemies! What truth is Jesus preserving by having us do such things? How is love being shown by even turning the cheek?
Saturday, September 12
Read 1 Peter 1:13-25. What does Peter encourage about obeying God’s truth? How are we even able to consider such obedience? What does love have to do with this obedience?
Bethel Lutheran Church, St. Paul, MN – bethelstpaul.com