May 31| Ephesians 4:7-16
- Terry Gustafson
- May 31
- 3 min read
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Speaking the Truth in Love
By Terry Gustafson
In the first three chapters of Ephesians, Paul primarily focuses on the principles of living life in Christ in community. Paul reminds his readers that they are “members of God’s household” (2:19) and that “through the Gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body” (3:6). We must never forget that while every Christian has a personal relationship with Christ, we live out that relationship in community with other believers.
In chapters 4-6, Paul focuses on how to put into practice those principles and live them out in Christian community. He begins chapter four (1-6) with an emphasis on internal qualities that are required for individuals who are in Christ: humility, gentleness, and patience, along with the capacity to bear with one another in love. (See also Galatians 5:22.)
As Paul continues in chapter four (7-16), he reminds us that Christ came to earth and returned to his heavenly throne (ascended). But he didn’t leave us without the external manifestation of his Spirit through those he has gifted to build up the body - apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers - all with the goal for the body to be unified. (See also 1 Corinthians 12.) To grow up from infants to adults Paul says that we must speak the truth to one another in love. We are to bear with one another and speak the truth to one another all in love.
So what does it mean to speak the truth in love? Our society seems to have a tortured relationship with truth. The postmodern critique of truth said that truth is relative. Now it seems that truth is irrelevant; lies are proclaimed as truth and truth as lies. Christ proclaimed that he was “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). For that reason, Christians have an obligation to pursue truth relentlessly and passionately. Ultimately, all truth is God’s truth, wherever it is found. Christians are those who are privileged to live in the presence of the living Truth. Part of my daily prayer is that I would speak only what is True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, and Kind (the THINK principle). It can be too easy to speak what is true with the purpose of hurting someone. We should focus on what will be an encouragement to the hearer. A favorite poem of mine by Emily Dickinson, Tell all the truth but tell it slant, is a reminder of the need to be careful with the truth if we are to speak it in love.
PRAYER
Repeat the following breath prayer throughout the day:
(Breathe in) Lord Jesus, our head
(Breathe out) Today may I speak only what is true, helpful, inspiring, necessary, and kind.
Find additional "Dying to Live" study materials designed for small groups or individual use here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TERRY GUSTAFSON
My wife, Mary, and I have been attending UALC for about 12 years. We have two grown daughters and one grandchild. I am a retired professor of chemistry at Ohio State, where I served many years as the faculty advisor to the IVCF graduate student chapter and as a member of the Faculty Christian Fellowship. I currently have the privilege of serving on the UALC Council.
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