Isaiah - Verse By Verse | Walking through Ephesians

Walking through Ephesians - Day 81

versebyverse | January 31, 2008 21:11

Thought: To me, the truth of Christ is the best protection against the deceptions of the enemy.

Question: Do I "speak the truth in love"? What does this mean?

Scripture: Ephesians 4:15 (NIV): Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ."

Truth stands up against the "deceitful scheming" in the previous verse. Knowing truth is the key to growth and maturity. So, rather than being caught in "infancy" and spiritual immaturity, we can "grow up into him", Christ Jesus. This verse states that the primary way we grow up is to receive truth; receive it until we also speak it out lovingly to others. Remember, Jesus said, "I am the truth..." (John 14:6). So receiving truth is receiving Christ; speaking truth is talking about Jesus Christ. The more filled up we are with Christ, the more mature and grown up we are, and the more truth we possess--truth about how everything really began, where it all came from, Who God really is, why we're here, where we're going, etc., etc.

"We will in all things grow up..." Not some things, but in all things. The apostles spoke truth, the prophets certainly did, evangelists do, and so do pastors and teachers. As they speak truth "we will in all things grow up." There is a vital connection here. Truth must be given, spoken out, before an "infant" will grow. And it must be spoken "in love." Think of the nurturing care of a parent, a mother. The best children are ones tenderly loved while given real truth about things. Thus, under the motherly nurturing of "truth in love", "we will...grow up", and we will do so "in all things". (God is thorough and will see to the well-roundedness of our spiritual education!)

Now, when we do grow up. we find ourselves growing up "into him", into Christ. And He is Our Head. We are the body. The head rules the body. Christ rules us. We are never disconnected from His authority. (Thank Goodness!) We see Paul's "Ephesian theme" sticking out again: "in Christ." Everything good is "in Christ", and good growth also, apparently, is the kind of growth that lifts us closer to Jesus. If we do not sense being closer today to Jesus than yesterday or last week, we are not "growing."

Prayer: Lord, help me grow closer to Your Son, Jesus Christ. Then I will be a person of truthful integrity. Amen.