05/11/18 SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE
All truth is true,
But truth varies in essentiality to Salvation, Fellowship, Ministry.
Our light determines our accountability.
Without accepting certain Biblical truths, a person cannot be saved. God's word tells us what those truths are.
Without agreeing on some truths, believers cannot continue in cooperative fellowship, though they may accept each other as believers in Christ.
Without advocating distinctive truths, ministering together is not practical, since ministering together requires a greater degree of one mindedness.
Christian Love...
Reaches out to the lost (before they are in a right relationship with God), and
Receives weaker believers into fellowship (while they are growing in grace and knowledge), and
Recognizes the possibility that others may be Christians, even when they differ from us concerning issues which we cannot compromise.
These are the factors that make it possible for a church to be faithful to God and His truth, while being in a loving relationship with those who do not see things the same way as that local church.
Just as families often have differences that need to be acknowledged, addressed and adjusted, local churches must do the same.
We must have a commitment, first of all to God and His word, then we must be willing to maintain our commitment to Him as we proclaim the truth in love.
Ephesians 4:11-16
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
