Speak The Truth!

"I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit—" (Rom 9:1 NIV)

"I am speaking the truth in Christ - I am not lying..." These words of St. Paul never fail to bring a smile to my face. I do believe that St. Paul was actually telling the truth. However, it reminds me of a young child swearing that they are telling the truth when they are not actually tell the whole truth. They are telling their own version of the truth which is not truth.

It is good when we can say with Paul I am speaking the truth, my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit. But, sadly that is not always the case. It is difficult to know when someone is actually speaking the truth and so we must depend upon the Holy Spirit within to help us to discern the truth. Not long ago someone who often chooses to make up their own version of the truth told me. "There are two sides two every story and then there is the truth." That probably is pretty true. But, in that particular case her side of the story was actually a third side and still not the truth.

Paul's truth in Christ, sometimes hurt people's feeling. The truth is not always pleasing to hear. It may make us many enemies; but, we must still speak the truth in love. Hurt feelings are nothing compared to a lost soul. May God help us to always speak with integrity for the good of those whom God loves.

God's Peace - Pr. J.