“TRUTH AND GODLY DISSENT” – THE TRUE AMBASSADORS OF CHRIST

The LORD commands us, as Christians and as His disciples and ambassadors, to speak the truth always. There are no two opinions on this. We are to speak the truth plainly and straightforwardly without any prejudice against anyone.
– “17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind…23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.” – Ephesians 4:17,23-25

While we speak the truth plainly and straightforwardly, we have to take all care to speak it with love, concern and tenderness. It is no small challenge to do so, but this is what we are called to do.
– “15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” – Ephesians 4:15
– “16 These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace;” – Zechariah 8:16
– “6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;” – 1 Corinthians 13:6
– “18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18

On 21 October 1528, this day, almost five hundred years ago, Johann Brenz, a German Protestant Reformer, principal leader of the Reformation in Württemberg, publishes a tract against the cruel and inhuman persecution of the Anabaptists by the Protestant reformers and the Church. Brenz, a strong defender of persecuted minorities, expresses that the Church should prefer to see people won by kindness, rather than forced into subjugation by cruelty. Johann Brenz demonstrated the ability to speak the truth, but also speak it with love, care and tenderness.

Dear brothers and sisters how would we position ourselves, when something is not going right among us? Would we care enough for fellow Christians and the disciples of the LORD Jesus, to speak the truth? Would we be careful to speak with love, care and tenderness. Let us THINK ABOUT IT dear friends. The LORD wants His children, as His ambassadors to represent our LORD Jesus to the world around us, just as He had walked during His earthly ministry. Even so, the LORD help us.