Day 7: Speaking the truth in love
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ (Ephesians 4:15).
Praise be to You, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! You are our Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name (1 Peter 1:3, Ephesians 3:14-15).
In Your grand design You have placed us together in community to support each other, to encourage each other, to teach each other, and to redirect each other when we go "off-course." And it doesn't matter whether our calling is to a leadership or a supportive role, because from [the Lord Jesus Christ] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work (Ephesians 4:16).
Oh Lord, give us a deep understanding of ourselves as a unified body under Christ. Help us to truly grasp what it means that God has put the body together... so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other (1 Corinthians 12:24-25).
With this mindset, help us to encourage one another and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). At the same time, enable us, like the apostles Paul and Peter to instruct each other without pride, conceit, or presumption.
Help us to fearlessly, graciously, humbly, and lovingly give and receive counsel, correction, and instruction. Help us to serve each other tirelessly with mutual love, respect, and accountability, acting in line with the truth of the gospel (Galatians 2:14).
Father, give us the courage and the wisdom, and the humility to speak the truth in love to guard the body of Christ against pride, prejudice, hypocrisy, and double standards. Remind us that If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it (1 Corinthians 12:26).
Above all, help us to honor You, and to bring glory to Your name, remembering that through us God... diffuses the fragrance of [Christ's] knowledge in every place (2 Corinthians 2:14).
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