FRANKNESS AND FORGIVENESS
- Key Verse
- "I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren, but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers?" (1 Corinthians 6:5-6)
READ TODAY'S PASSAGE-
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
We need people in our lives that are willing to “speak the truth in love.”
Reflections
One of the things that I am learning to appreciate more in my life is genuine frankness. In this passage, I think Paul is applying the principle of “speaking the truth in love” that he explains in Eph 4:15. This is a critical balance to speak the truth but to do so with love.
This is one of the things I love about marriage. Denise and I get to see each other “in good times and bad.” We handle things differently, but we also have learned to see beyond the exterior and determine when something is not right. With our upcoming move, there are a lot of days where we have to be frank with each other, in love.
Another area where I see this is in the area of money. I love working in our financial ministry at Grace. We are told so many things about money in this world such as: “Life takes Visa,” “You can have it all.” I love teaching the frankness of what the Bible says about money, that we are really trustees of God’s things. One of the things that I find everyday in this area is that the truth does set people free. When we live by God’s principles, He provides peace and freedom beyond comprehension (Phil 4:6-7).
Of course, all this frankness has to be balanced with love. Without love, we are a “clanging cymbal” (I Cor. 13). Offering and receiving forgiveness is a large part of showing love. Frankness and forgiveness go together.
Discussion Questions
- Do you have people who will be frank and forgiving with you?
- Do you take advice well from people that don’t seem to care? How should you apply that in giving advice to a fellow believer?
Denise
April 29, 2010 10:41 AM
Thanks for your devo! I love be frank with you! Thanks for the loving leadership and guidance. I am so blessed to have you!
Lynnette Gore
April 29, 2010 02:42 PM
I'll be praying for your family in your move. We will miss you. Thank you for your devo and the encouragement to speak the truth in love.
Doug Quinn
April 30, 2010 05:13 PM
Ray, Thank you for sharing and reminding us to be frank, honest, and yet forgiving while at the same time maintaining a delicate balance in our lives. I imagine the move is testing all three of these at this time, but know that your Pilot through this part of your journey will see you safely to your new home.