Speak the Truth in Love

“The Son of Man will send out His angels and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire.” —Jesus 

Hell—Fiery judgment—Eternal damnation.

This is a sobering biblical Truth that many Christians and most unbelievers don’t want to talk about.

“That’s not love!” they shout.

And yet, in Matthew chapter 13, Jesus (the God who is Love) said it three times in close proximity.

Be clear on this; Jesus never said anything that was not spoken in love.

Many people today who acknowledge Jesus say He was a “good teacher.” A “good man.” Or a “wise prophet.”

But tell them He is the Son of God who will “come from Heaven with all His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that do not know God, and that do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, punishing them with everlasting destruction” (see 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9), and they will curse you as a judgmental, hateful, right-wing bigot.

However, the fiery judgment of Hell is not an obscure or isolated truth in the Bible. And Jesus talked about it more than anyone. Read the entire New Testament and you will find it a recurring theme from Matthew to Revelation.

Today’s watered-down message is mostly focused on how to get more blessings and to just think positively. But I don’t find Jesus teaching that kind of watered-down message anywhere in the Bible.

So what does it mean to “speak the truth in love?”

It doesn’t mean to say things in a sweet and syrupy way that will never possibly offend anyone.

If you speak of the things that Jesus taught His disciples to speak, trust me; no matter how sweet and nice you try to say it, you will offend some people. “What?! You’re telling me that I’m a sinner!? And that I will go to Hell if I reject Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross?!”

People all think that they’re “good.”

Most people haven’t murdered anyone, or molested children. Most folks consider the Saddam Hussein’s, the Adolph Hitler’s and the Ted Bundy’s of the world to be the bad people… the “sinners.”

But “me!” No, “I’m a good person!” they will tell you. “Certainly not deserving of Hell!”

However, the Bible clearly states; “There are none who are righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10)

Jesus Himself said, “No one is good but One; that is, God.” (Mark 10:18)

So, according to today’s worldly standards, you may not consider yourself to be a bad person. But God judges man according to His own standard of perfection, not according to ours.

Most of us know people that have thus far rejected Christ. Knowing that the "Truth shall set you free" we are obligated to love them enough to continue, in all possible ways, to speak the truth to them in love. Other times we may know someone who professes to know Christ, but they have chosen a path or lifestyle that will separate them from God, if they do not repent and change direction. Either way, the question is, do we love them enough to speak Truth into their life? Or do we remain silent, afraid to possibly offend them. I would say it is definitely not "love" to remain silent when their soul is in peril.

Where, then, is the real “Love” in all this?

Namely this:

“But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

And this:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

And this:

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Please… read the entire New Testament.

God’s justice, vengeance and judgment, is answered by His own Mercy, Love and Grace—but only to those who will acknowledge their own sin and guilt and need for a savior, and who will openly surrender their heart and turn to Jesus Christ.

Salvation in Jesus Christ is a free gift to all those who will freely believe, and accept it.

For me, the very bad news of Hell and eternal fire was washed away by the amazingly Good News of salvation as a free gift of God's grace, through faith, which is also a free gift.

As an unbeliever some twenty two years ago, I didn't want to hear about Hell. But the Good News sounds even better when you know what the bad news is first. I needed to know why I needed a Savior.

I needed to know what I was being saved from—which is eternal separation from God, and a fiery torment in a place called Hell.

Once I learned who Jesus the Savior is, and what He did for me on the Cross out of His amazing love for me, I simply couldn't say no to Him any longer.

God's grace is an amazing, incomprehensibly wonderful thing!

All you have to do is receive it.



—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

Lead From the Front

“It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem...” (2 Samuel 11:1)

Most everyone who has ever read a Bible, or been to church, knows something about the story of David and Bathsheba.

King David is on his housetop getting some fresh air late one evening, when he sees a beautiful woman bathing on the housetop across the way. He intensely desires the woman, and sends his servants to bring her to him so he can 'have' her. 

Only problem was, she was already married to one of his faithful soldiers; Urriah, who was where he was supposed to be—out battling king David's enemies.

The story only gets worse. David gets Bathsheba pregnant. And in an attempt to try and hide his wicked sin, he has Urriah killed by sending him into the most dangerous part of the battle. Out of sight, out of mind. Or so he thinks...

And isn't that when we also get into the most trouble?

When we are somewhere where we know we are not supposed to be.

Had David been the King and leader he was supposed to be, he would have been out leading his troops in battle—not at home looking at a naked woman from the discreet comfort of his palatial housetop.

In the bible passage quoted we see where David set himself up to fall:  

"It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle..."

It was spring time; the time of year when kings went out to battle. Not a time to be at home eating grapes, while your soldiers and commanders were out giving their lives in battle, to protect your precious kingdom. 

And while I know it is only speculation on my part, as the biblical text does not specifically state it, my guess is that David had seen this woman bathing on her housetop before. And he most likely stayed at home because he wanted to get another eyeful of her bathing. Or worse, he had been scheming a way to have another man's wife...while her husband was away at war.

I pray we all let the truths of this biblical account of David and Bathsheba sink into our hearts and let the Holy Spirit reveal areas in our own minds and lives where we are likely headed for a fall.

Lead From the Front.

1.  Be where you're supposed to be.

If you know sin lies down that street, don't go down there. 

Speaking as a husband and father to other husbands and fathers; if your loving wife has dinner waiting for you at home, don't stop off at the bar for a drink, where you know single women are always present, looking for some action.

You should be at home, loving your wife and helping her in any way she needs help, spending time being a Dad to your children. When's the last time you read the Bible to your kids? Played catch with your son? Told your daughter how special she is and how much you love her? Took your wife out on a romantic date night? Or made her breakfast? Be where you're supposed to be. 

2.  Be who God made you to be.

First and foremost, your first and most holy 'calling' before God is to be a husband and a father, if that is what God has given you to be faithful over.  Not your job, and not even duties at your church. When you stand before God at the judgment seat of Christ, you will give Him an account of what kind of husband and father you were. Everything else comes after that.

Has God placed people in your life who need love, encouragement and discipleship? Then be faithful to do that, as God provides and leads. Has He given you the gift of playing an instrument? Then be faithful to use that gift to worship Him. Has He gifted you to teach the Bible? Teach kids? Show mercy? Has He given you the ability to be a leader or administrator? Then use the gifts He has given you to the extent of your gifting. Be faithful.

3.  Be content with where God has you right now.

If God has you selling shoes part time, don't be looking for a way out of the 'fix' you're in. God probably has you there for a reason... for His purpose. The Bible says:

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.” (Psalm 37:23)

God has foreordained, or 'ordered' our steps. 

Knowing our choices and the paths we will choose in life, He arranges circumstances in our lives to bring us closer to Him and accomplish His will. We usually fail to see it or acknowledge it. But He is control, not us. Do you need to be humbled? Then trust me, He will put you in a situation that will bring you to your knees to where you will bow to Him and cry out to Him. He has done that with me many times in my Christian life. And I will be eternally grateful to God that He did so.

Jesus taught that we must be faithful to do the few things He has given us to do. When He is satisfied that we have been faithful over those few things, then He may decide to give us more to do. But we must first learn to be content with where He has us, and what He has us doing right now.

4.  Be faithful to love Him who saved you and called you.

Jesus said the first and greatest commandment is:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)

Loving Jesus means to keep all of His commandments (See John 14:21). 

Loving someone means to be faithful. And hopefully you do so because you love them, and you want to be faithful to them. Not because you're commanded to do so. I am faithful to my wife because I love her. And I should that much more be faithful to God who loved me first and gave Himself for me. True love is faithful and obedient. And God deserves all of our heart, all of the time.

Jesus led from the front.  

He didn't sit back in a comfortable palace, commanding His servants to go and do what He was not willing to do. He led by example. Forgive those who curse you and spitefully use you. Love your enemies and pray for them. Give to him who has need. Clothe the naked. Feed the hungry. Help the poor. Set free those who are held captive. Show compassion and mercy to all. Speak the truth in love. Preach the Gospel. Demonstrate true love by giving your very life for the sake of others. 

Jesus said:

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." (John 15:13)

One who leads from the front is one who dies to his or her self will first. One who forgives first. One who shows mercy first. One who puts others needs ahead of his or her own.

Lead from the front.

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

Love Incarnate

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

—Jesus

In this rush-rush season of marketing, madness and materialism, while we may see the occasional scene of the Nativity on a front lawn or Christmas card, sadly, the baby Jesus seems to be losing popularity in this politically correct world. For many, the Christmas tree is more popular than the Christ Himself.

What does Christmas really mean to most people anymore?

Big family gatherings? Lavish turkey dinners with all the trimmings? Lots of presents?

For me, Christmas means Love came down. God came to save me; something I could never do for myself. The Bible says, "God is love."

Love incarnate.

It boggles the mind that the almighty God chose to humble Himself and come down to earth in the form of a tiny baby, born in a cold, smelly stable.

Ultimate power displays itself in ultimate humility—all to demonstrate true Love in it's most pure, selfless and sacrificial form.

Jesus taught that those who want to believe in Him will, and those who don't, wont.  

For most of my life I refused to believe in this "Jesus stuff."  I arrogantly mocked and rejected any message I heard about my need for a Savior.

But the God of Love did not come down to a world that has no need of saving.

The name Jesus means, "He will save His people from their sins." He came to save you because He loves you. 

Will you let that pure, selfless love sink deep into your skeptical heart today and melt it?

Jesus said:

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20)

The God of Love stands gently knocking on the door of your heart today, asking to be invited in.

And only you can unlock the door from the inside and let Him in.

If you choose to...

—God is Love and Love Never Fails

What is The Solution?

“For nation will rise against nation” (Matthew 24:7)

In a moment of anger and frustration over the current destruction and lawlessness in Ferguson, Missouri, I recently made some online comments that I now deeply regret. I was not being part of the solution, but rather, part of the problem. And for that I apologize to all.

What is the solution, if any, to generations of racial tension, division, hatred, violence, and injustice?

The great divide in our country is not a problem of black against white, liberal against conservative, democrat against republican

The solution is first realizing that the problem is a spiritual problem—an issue of the heart.

I've learned and experienced, that what comes out of a man is only what was already inside him. Hatred, vengeance, even murder—are in the heart of human beings. 

Jesus said murder begins in the heart.

"For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." (Matthew 15:19)

Maybe you’ve never physically killed someone. But to Christ, hating someone is the same as murdering him. Lusting after someone who is not your wife or husband is just the same as actually committing the physical act of adultery.

Man looks at what is on the outside of a person, their appearance, but God sees the heart.

So what is the solution?

Jesus said, “A man must be born again.”

The nature or ‘spirit’ of mankind is sinful and fallen. We need a spiritual re-birth—a new heart. And only God through Jesus Christ can give that.

The last six thousand years of world history is proof enough that man on his own does not possess the power or goodness within himself to solve the world’s problems of hatred, racism, division, and war.

Only Christ is the solution.

If you really are open, and are searching for truth, for the solution, for the spiritual re-birth that only Christ can give, then you will find it through Him.

And you start by crying out to God. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you.

Then begin with reading the Bible, John chapter 3, verses 1-21.

If you genuinely seek Christ you will find Him.

This is the solution to the world’s problems.

—God is Love and Love Never Fails

Set Free From The Past

“Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” (Philippians 3:13)

Dwelling on the past.

We all do it.

Someone hurt us. Rejected us. Broke our heart. Neglected us. Even abused us. They weren't there for us when we needed them. They told us we were a disappointment to them.

Everyone has, at one time in their life, carried around some serious emotional baggage from their past.

And sadly, many people still carry it.

Wouldn't you like to, once and for all, be free from the oppressive, heavy weight of that baggage?

Personally, I know only one Counselor who was able to set me free from the pain, shame and oppression of my troubled past.

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

Doesn't it give you great hope that God Himself is your Counselor!

And what He spoke through Paul, He speaks to us today, that we have to forget those things which are behind us. Forget the past. And reach forward to those things which are ahead.

Part of forgetting the past is forgiving those who hurt us.

"Easier said than done" you say?

Bitterness and unforgiveness will destroy a person.

A friend of mine once said,

"Unforgiveness is like drinking poison, hoping the other person will die."

Choosing to forgive someone who hurt you is not saying that what they did to you was okay.

What they did to you was not okay.

Forgiveness means that you, from your heart, are choosing to release that person from the debt of your unforgiveness.

And in the process, you are setting yourself free from your self-imposed bitter prison.

You can be set free. Your broken heart can be healed.

Jesus said:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed.” (Luke 4:18)

The Mighty God—Jesus. His name is also called Wonderful, Counselor, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.

You will know His peace when you choose to forgive the people and forget the hurts of your past, and look forward to the wonderful things that are ahead for all who trust in Jesus and look for His appearing.

Jesus promised us:

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3)

In our opening verse, Paul not only said to forget those things which are behind us. But he said we're to be reaching forward to those things which are ahead.

Jesus is our future, but He is also present with us right now. Reach for Him. Cry out to Him. Trust in Him. Reach out for those things He has for you right now—like the people He has placed all around you who need His love, kindness and compassion.

Paul said:

"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-15)

The goal Paul speaks of here is to make Jesus known to whoever will listen, to whoever will hear and believe the Gospel and receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. 

And the prize is when Jesus calls us upward, to be with Him in the place He has prepared for us. And that prize is free. You can't earn it. It's a free gift to all those who have chosen to believe in Jesus as Savior and who have surrendered their hearts to Him who loves us; having died for us while we were still sinners.

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

Godly, bible-based counseling can be very beneficial.

But there is only One whose name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,

His name is Jesus.

No matter how bad your past was, no matter where you're at, no matter what you've done, reach out for Him today.

Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted, to bring liberty to the captives, and to set free those who are oppressed.

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

In God's Image

"So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." (Genesis 1:27) 

"God created man in His own image."

This is, in my opinion, perhaps, one of the most misunderstood passages in the entire Bible.


What image (or likeness) is God?

"God is not a man, that He should lie." (Numbers 23:19)

God is Spirit. He is invisible. Jesus said, 

"No one has seen God at any time." (John 1:18). 

God is not a man, He is eternal Spirit. And He has given us an eternal spirit. Our current body is not eternal. 

Thus, to be created in "God's own image" is to be made an invisible, eternal spirit—the life force that is who we are at our very essence.

The Son of Man, Jesus, is said to be the "image of the invisible God." (Colossians 1:15). Jesus "became flesh." He did not exist in a fleshly body in Heaven prior to coming to earth. He was eternal Spirit; He was with God and He was God. (See John 1:1).

Only God is good. All men are sinners.

Man cannot try to justify his sinful human condition, no matter what that is, by claiming, "I was born this way", or, "I was made in God's image." 

We were all born sinners, and we are all commanded to repent and turn from our sin and turn to God.

"Truly, these (former) times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man (Jesus Christ) whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." (Acts 17:30-31)

But you can be spared from God's coming judgment by surrendering to His current and eternal love.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)   

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

The Bridge

“Between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able.” (Luke 16:26)

Imagine you are driving along on a dark, stormy night.

Thick fog and blinding rain obscure every curve on the narrow, winding road, high above the jagged rocks and raging sea. Something catches your eye as the lightning flashes, and you stop your car and get out to investigate. The bridge has been washed out. And where pavement once lay, a bottomless chasm now vanishes into the night below.

You rush back to your car, pop open the trunk, and furiously tear apart the contents, searching for your emergency flares. You race 100 yards back up the road you just came down, and light two of the flares, ready to warn any unsuspecting traveler, of the imminent danger which lies unseen just ahead.

Soon a set of car lights pierce through the fog and are coming straight at you. As you frantically wave the flares high above your head and shout "stop!" The truck finally screeches to a halt on the wet pavement, just inches from your feet. The driver jumps out and screams at you, "What is your problem?" You immediately respond, "Sir, the storm washed the bridge out just ahead. Please, I implore you sir, go no further, or you will plunge to your death!"

The driver angrily responds, "You're crazy! That bridge is solid steel! A perfect example of man's finest engineering. Nothing could possibly ever destroy it. Now get out of my way you crazy fool, I have somewhere I have to be!"

But no matter how much you plead with him to stay with you in safety, he drives blindly on into the blackness of night, plunging to his certain death.

And such is the life and message of the follower of Jesus Christ.

Ours is a message of hope and salvation, in the face of imminent danger and eternal darkness. But to many, our message is unpopular. People don't want to be warned to go no further, that imminent danger and death lies just ahead if they continue on the same road they are currently on.

Even Jesus—the God of love and light—who came to save the world, was murdered, and nailed to a wooden cross like a common criminal for bringing His message of love, grace and salvation.

All men have sinned and need a savior.

Jesus is the Bridge.

You who reject Christ may hate the message and the messenger. 

But consider that we who stand on the road on a dark night, waving safety flares high above our heads, shouting out a warning, "Danger, Bridge out!" do so in love. Not in hate, and not in judgment.

To allow someone to drive blindly on, not warning them of the imminent danger ahead, is the opposite of love.

Jesus is the Bridge.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.