– Scripture:

Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping.

                                     1 Corinthians 16:13–14 MSG

 – Reflection:

                   Speak Responsibly

I mean, the mess and complexity of life can make speaking truth in love daunting and uncomfortable for example, when it requires we challenge a brother or admonish him; when it requires we call-out a brother or call him back from sin. So it’s a rare group of men indeed who are willing to speak truth in love even when it’s hard. We’ve got to be that kind of men. Whether it’s two of us or twelve of us or more, when we gather in Christian community, are to speak truth to one another, truth motivated by love.

 Where do we go from here?

Do you know one another’s stories? If you haven’t already, give each person an hour—at least—to tell his story, completely. Have each person start at the beginning and bring his story current. Encourage transparency. Ask no questions. Give no advice. Just listen. For us to be that kind, though, we must first be another kind: men who take time to know one another. You see, except in a few cases, it’s irresponsible to “speak truth” to any man without knowing his story. We’re one body, all following our King, Jesus Christ, but we’re also all different, with different designs, different functions, different experiences.

 Our Prayer for Today

Father, being the creator of al things including community. You know that for community to work, for truth to actually flow freely we must be honest. It is with that honesty that we are all able to help each other become the best versions of ourselves, to complete the best work; the work you have for us. We can’t fix anyone all we can do is help to lead those people to you the father by showing them our savior Jesus Christ. With that grace that is given to us by God, we can all say. Amen.