Speaking The Truth In Love
Our Christian faith is a costly commitment in a world that emphasizes tolerance. Throughout history, there have been individuals who, like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a theologian and pastor in 1943, firmly held onto their belief in God’s doctrine to resist the dark ideologies of oppressive regimes. Bonhoeffer’s courageous opposition to Hitler’s government during the Holocaust ultimately led to his arrest and execution in 1945. Even in the concentration camps, he continued proclaiming the Gospel of Christ and writing books on the Christian’s role in a secular world. Bonhoeffer was not the first, nor will he be the last, to risk everything for the kingdom of God.
We must align with Jesus
As Christians, we cannot afford to be ignorant of the fallen world around us or neglect to pray for the lost souls we claim to love fervently. Our calling in today’s culture is to mourn over the things that break the heart of God. This entails educating ourselves about the rising issues that contradict God’s Word and engaging in prayer and petition on behalf of those who have embraced the enemy’s lies. When we speak the truth, it must be rooted in love; otherwise, our words become empty noise, failing to bring freedom to the captives. However, when we align ourselves with the likeness of Jesus, we become ambassadors for His kingdom, believing in the transformative power of His sacrificial death on the cross.
Your identity is found in God
The overflow of the heart is revealed in our words and actions. What we pray for in private shapes how we speak in public. As we navigate the world, we allow the wisdom of God’s Word to guide our conversations. We should also desire divine encounters with those advocating sinful lifestyles. Among these individuals are those who support the LGBTQ+ community, those who endorse pro-choice views, and those who advocate for teaching critical race theories. We must continue to pray and love those who deviate from God’s intended design, declaring the truth and telling those we encounter, “This is who God says you are.”
"This is who God says you are."
We have hope
We enter God’s kingdom by grace; by grace, we should live our lives here on earth. Even if it seems challenging, do not lose heart, for God has already overcome the world. We press forward with the hope that God desires to transform the culture we inhabit, using us as vessels to break the silence, correct what is wrong, and offer others the opportunity to experience freedom in Jesus. Remember that God is holy; anything contrary to His nature will be consumed in His presence. His kindness leads us to repentance, and His word aligns with the truth of the Bible, prohibiting us from living lives that lead to destruction. What an incredible God we serve, who teaches us to love rightly and confidently speak.
Speaking the truth in love
All good things become possible when we are rooted in God’s word. Jesus exemplified this practice repeatedly in His teachings. For instance, in John 1:8-11, He exhorted the woman caught in adultery to “sin no more” while also calling out the religious hypocrisy of the Pharisees and demonstrating kindness towards her. Similarly, in John 4:5-30, Jesus encountered a woman at a well and offered her living water to quench her spiritual thirst. He revealed to her that she was known by the living God and encouraged her to live a transformed life. We must not allow our hatred for sin to lead us to hate individuals in our hearts. In our culture, we must recognize the desperation of these people for Jesus and allow Him to work through us to establish His heavenly kingdom here on earth by boldly speaking the truth in love.