The Story

Many people think love and truth stand on opposite sides. If we speak truth, we fear we may not be loving. If we want to love, we fear we must stay silent about what is wrong. Jesus loved sinners deeply, but he never helped people by hiding sin. He spoke the truth they needed, even when it hurt, because he wanted more than comfort for them. He wanted life. We often fail in both directions. Sometimes we speak truth with a hard heart in order to win. Sometimes we avoid truth because we fear losing a relationship. Neither is the way of Christ. The gospel humbles us enough to receive truth and makes us loving enough to speak truth with tears. Christ died for people who need both the exposure of sin and the healing of grace. Prayer Father of truth and love, I praise you because you do not deceive your children or leave them in darkness. Forgive me for speaking truth without love, or avoiding truth because I love my own comfort. Thank you for Jesus Christ, who exposes sin and heals sinners by grace. Holy Spirit, give me a gentle and truthful heart. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.