With These Gifts

And then our immaturity will end! And we will not be easily shaken by trouble, nor led astray by novel teachings or by the false doctrines of deceivers who teach clever lies. But instead we will remain strong and always sincere in our love as we express the truth. All our direction and ministries will flow from Christ and lead us deeper into Him, the anointed Head of His church. For His “body”, God’s people, has been formed in His image and is closely joined together and constantly connected as one. And every member has been given divine gifts to contribute to the growth of all; and as these gifts operate effectively throughout the whole body, we are built up and made perfect in love.  Ephesians 4:14-16 TPT

Jesus instructs us that by speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, and in  Proverbs 3:3 God further says, let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 

Now, some people are so focused on grace and mercy that they speak little truth. Yet others focus so much on the truth that they lack grace.

By design, the two work best together. Only when we practice both will we and those listening to us flourish and become more Christ-like.

Our aim should always be, in every moment and every season, to communicate Jesus to others. That’s what will produce change in a dark, broken world.