Many Christians are familiar with Ephesians 4:11
”It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers…”
Most of us have it printed on a magnet holding up some cute kid’s picture on our refrigerator or maybe on a plaque on our desk. The context of this verse is speaking about the maturity of the church, these five ministry gifts were given so that the church would become mature. Verse 13 makes it clear; check it out by clicking here.
Verse 15 tells us that one sign of this maturity is our ability to speak the truth in love. My experience in the church has been that most people will go to one extreme or the other. People will either speak all truth without any evidence of love or in a flawed attempt at love will forgo the truth all together. Maturity is required to strike that elusive balance.
Speaking the truth even in love is risky. Often it means putting a relationship on the line. If I take this risk will it cost me the friendship. Personally, I believe that giving into this fear is not only cowardly but also selfish, both sure signs of immaturity.
The writer of Proverbs had it right; “Wounds from a friend can be trusted”. A real friend is the one who loves you enough to tell you the truth, even the hard truth. I’m grateful to have just those kinds of friends in my life. When I grow up I hope to be just that type of friend to them. Maybe when we all grow up, when the whole body grows up into Him we’ll discover how to be true friends.
Lord let this be the day.
© Tom Zawacki 2006
”It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers…”
Most of us have it printed on a magnet holding up some cute kid’s picture on our refrigerator or maybe on a plaque on our desk. The context of this verse is speaking about the maturity of the church, these five ministry gifts were given so that the church would become mature. Verse 13 makes it clear; check it out by clicking here.
Verse 15 tells us that one sign of this maturity is our ability to speak the truth in love. My experience in the church has been that most people will go to one extreme or the other. People will either speak all truth without any evidence of love or in a flawed attempt at love will forgo the truth all together. Maturity is required to strike that elusive balance.
Speaking the truth even in love is risky. Often it means putting a relationship on the line. If I take this risk will it cost me the friendship. Personally, I believe that giving into this fear is not only cowardly but also selfish, both sure signs of immaturity.
The writer of Proverbs had it right; “Wounds from a friend can be trusted”. A real friend is the one who loves you enough to tell you the truth, even the hard truth. I’m grateful to have just those kinds of friends in my life. When I grow up I hope to be just that type of friend to them. Maybe when we all grow up, when the whole body grows up into Him we’ll discover how to be true friends.
Lord let this be the day.
© Tom Zawacki 2006
From my observations in the last 28 years, you are that type of friend. And the people you have touched with your love is great. Thanks for being an example. I love you.
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