I often refer to this quote as I go about each day. I find myself encouraging my children to seek the truth in Jesus Christ with Righteousness. Self righteousness will always turn others away from us. But when we speak the truth in love we need to be routed in truth ourselves. What is Truth? Is it always what makes us feel good? Is it what the majority of those around us believe to be the truth? My experience has been that truth is sometimes what no one believes at all. There have been many times that I have experienced people I love very much believing that their lives are routed in the truth. Perhaps the pain of the truth is too much for them to bear. Perhaps it seems easier to ignore the truth. Perhaps they truly just do not know how absolutely loved they are by Our Father in Heaven.
I need to be routed in the truth:
"Why do you call me, 'Lord Lord' and not do what I tell you? Every one who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep, and laid the foundation upon a rock;and when the flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it had been well built, But he who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation; against which a stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great."
Luke 6:46-49
I have a choice to make each day. The choices I make will have an immediate ripple effect in the world around me. Does my life bear good fruit that others may be attracted too? Or does my life bear fruit that I believe is good enough but may not attract others? My experience has been to take notice of my will. Am I in relationship with Jesus Christ? Am I praying and listening to His answers? Am I doing what is not always the most comfortable? Am I forgiving others? Am I seeking forgiveness for the wrongs that I have done? Am I speaking the Truth in love and righteousness? Some days I fall very short. Some days I need God to supply me with the emotional strength necessary to love others who seem unlovable. I pray for His will to remain righteous and not self righteous. I have to remember that at times I too am not lovable.
I need to be bold in Jesus Christ:
"And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and the signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
Acts 4:29-30
