This week we will be talking about honesty and openness, especially with regards to making our community a safe and supportive one for everyone. In the context of being part of the body, which we talked about last week, living in the truth gives us freedom (John 8:32) to support each other and become closer, as one body (Ephesians 4:25) and stand together as followers of the truth (Mark 3:25, John 14:6). This allows us to trust each other and be in community with each other in truth and love (Ephesians 4:15) so that we may grow in maturity and be faithful to one another (James 5:13-16, James 3:14). Being truthful and obedient to God also gives us encouragement (3 John 1:4) and builds us up (Proverbs 14:25).
By walking in the truth we invite the Holy Spirit (a.k.a. Spirit of Truth) to work in us and bear fruit (John 14:16-17, Galatians 5:22-23). The truth and love that we are speaking of is not just spoken with words, but carried out in action (1 John 3:18). I pray that we will be an encouragement to each other and a light to campus as we live in honesty and openness with each other. May we take steps to build trust and friendship with each other!
Love in Christ,
Peter
