June 2005
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back
and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of
teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful
scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things
grow up into him who is the Head, that is Christ.
Ephesians 4: 14-15
(NIV)
Dear All Saints’ Family,
The Apostle Paul faced many instances where he had to step in and
correct false belief, unholy living, and other behaviors in the church
that were contrary to faith and Scripture. Sometimes his admonitions
seemed harsh; sometimes they were gentle, and often they were received
with a certain dissonance. After writing his first letter to the
Corinthians, Paul’s integrity and authority were questioned. His second
letter is made up of a defense of his apostolic authority. His final
words in 2 Corinthians are interesting, “This is why I write these
things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in
my use of authority – the authority the Lord gave me for building you
up, not for tearing you down”. (2 Corinthians 13:10) Paul never wanted
to be harsh or mean-spirited, but he knew that God expects His children
to live by defined moral and ethical standards that often differ from
the world.
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and what that says to me
is that God still expects us to live under His principles, laws and His
moral and ethical standards, even when they collide with the values and
mores of our surrounding culture. In a nutshell, this is the cause of
the disunity we face in the Episcopal Church. Do old standards still
apply? Or do they change with the times?
Last month I wrote that only God can reconcile our differences and it is
necessary to seek Him in prayer, study, and community in order to
discern His perfect will. I also wrote that we must do all of this with
patience, love, and compassion, especially with those with whom we
disagree. Paul reminds us to speak the truth in love. (See 1 Corinthians
13 for Paul’s definition of love.)
As Christians and ambassadors of Christ we need to be careful to never
be judgmental, unkind, or cruel with anyone. Jesus had a wonderful way
to expose sinful behavior while maintaining relationships. The story of
the woman at the well, the man born blind, the woman caught in adultery
are just a few of the times that Jesus showed love, patience, and
compassion while calling people to repentance. That is not to say he
didn’t get in someone’s face when necessary. He did turn over the tables
and had some hard things to say to the Pharisees.
Paul’s instructions to Timothy were to preach the Word, correct, rebuke,
and encourage with great patience. He instructed Titus to “pursue
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” Peter
instructed the church to always be ready to speak the truth, “with
gentleness and respect.” When we fail to speak the ‘truth in love’, we
can unknowingly communicate a perception that can be characterized as
unloving, shrill, judgmental, or demeaning. Let us continue to seek and
speak the truth, but let us speak it always in love.
Blessings,
Fr. David+
top
|
