“We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.” Ephesians 4.14-16
“We must be children no longer!” Sounds like a champion on a movie like Braveheart giving a speech to a whole group of people oppressed. But in truth, it’s the Apostle Paul challenging the church to grow up. Did he say it out of frustration? Out of impatience because they were “being tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine by people’s trickery,”? It also sounds a lot like today’s society and what many of us face on a daily basis.
In order to not be like children or give in to peoples tricks and “deceitful scheming,” Paul suggests we speak the truth in love. As a result, we will “grow up in every way into him who is the head.” Speaking the truth in love leads us to being built up in love. Paul gives an analogy of a functioning human body. Christ is the head, and the whole body is joined to the head. We are all knitted together “by every ligament.” When working properly the body grows because it is built up in love.
Speaking the plain truth is different than speaking the truth in love. I know many catty people who speak the plain truth to others — something not many of us want to hear. But to speak truth in love doesn’t bring criticism but confirmation that we are children of God. Speaking the truth in love can we honest and sometimes painful but with it comes an understanding that we are loved by others and by the Lord.
The end result is building up of the Body of Christ so that we as a church might function well together. So people might be saved, loved and well cared for and that God might be glorified. This is the purpose and mission of the church — loving God and loving people. Speaking the truth in love allows us to ensure that others can find strength and hope in Christ alone.
To whom should we speak to in love? What if the person to whom we speak doesn’t receive the lesson? What if others reject it all together? And what is the truth? Is it just nick picky things about their lives? Paul is talking about speaking the truth in love in terms of the gospel. This is more about “what” to believe and “how” to believe spiritually, practically and theologically. This is how to follow Christ and how to be a functioning part of the Body of Christ.
So do not be children any more in your faith, Paul says. Trust in Jesus, receive the Holy Spirit, become a serious disciple of Christ by diving in to his Word and speak the truth in love.
“O Lord God, you are good. Thank you for loving me and allowing me to be your hands and feet. Help me find my salvation in you alone and to experience your grace in all I do. Draw me to yourself so I might be mature in my faith and put on the lens of love when speaking to others. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen