Speaking the Truth in Love
In Ephesians 4:16-17, the Apostle Paul writes - "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we may grow up in all things into Him, who is the head, Christ; from Whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love."
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit! Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
"Speaking the truth in love" is being assertive without being aggresive. It's not being a doormat that lets people walk all over you or a milquetoast that just says sticky-sweet words. These days, it seems anything we say could be considered a microaggression. How can we avoid falling into this trap?
The Apostle Peter writes - "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15). How do we do that? How can we "always be ready to give an answer" gently and respectfully? Here's how -
Watch the video in our lead news article WHAT’S WRONG WITH CRITICAL RACE THEORY? in today's Hosken-News: notice how Dave Sterrett speaks (his calm tone of voice) and the points he explains -
a. "Critical Race Theory" is a branch of "Critical Theory" that extends Marxism beyond economics to all perceived power structures.
b. It divides people into "Social Binaries" of oppressor vs. oppressed: white vs. black, male vs. female, as well as rich vs. poor,
so if you're a member of an oppressor group, you're automatically guilty of its sins (which denies individual responsibility)
c. Therefore a "Straight White Christian Male" must be "Woke" by submitting to the worldviews of the oppressed groups.
d. "White Fragility" leads to a denial of objective reality and truth: one can't know the "Ding an sich," only perceptions (Kant).
e. Watch for these fallacies in their arguments:
* Self-refuting statements, such as "there is no truth,"
* Hasty over-generalizations - all ____ are ____,
* The "Genetic Fallacy" - if you're the wrong race, gender, or religion, you're automatically wrong.
As I've written before if we deny individual responsibility, there is no basis for morality, no right or wrong, thus there's no guilt. There's just "survival of the fittest" - might makes right. The "Golden Rule" is twisted into "He who has the gold makes the rules." So you see the reasoning (or lack thereof) in "Critical Race Theory" is full of self-refuting statements.
King David wrote in Psalm 55:9-14 - "Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife in the city. Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her. Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies don't depart from her streets. For it was not an enemy who insulted me, then I could have endured it. Neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me, then I would have hid myself from him. But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend. We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God's house with company." Isn't this a rather graphic description of many American cities these days? Even some people who go to "God's house" are siding with the anarchists, the "destructive forces" committing "violence and strife in the city."
Then King David continued describing the deceptive speech of his adversaries - "He raises his hands against his friends. He has violated his covenant. His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved. But you, God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in You" (verses 20-22). The solution: "Cast your burden on the Lord," trust in Him - He will bring to an end those "bloodthirsty and deceitful men."
In Romans 12, we read - "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another" (verses 9-10). This is not the currently popular but hypocritical expression "love is love" that lumps homosexual eroticism together with maternal love and brotherly love; rather, it is agape-love, the self-giving love that comes from God alone.
Further, we read - "Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don't curse. Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. Don't seek revenge for yourselves, beloved, but give place to God's wrath. For it is written, 'Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord.' Therefore 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.' Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (verses 14 & 17-21).
These life principles aren't easy: it takes wisdom, courage, and strength to practice pure and holy love, to abhor what is evil and cling to the good, to live at peace, and to not seek revenge. We can't overcome evil by committing more evil in return, we can only overcome evil with good.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit! Christ is among us! He is and ever shall be!
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