Christ instructed us that we should let our “yes be yes and our no be no” in Mathew 5:37. Living a life of complete transparency is dangerous. Most only want the truth that taste good therefore most refuse to speak openly & honestly for fear of reprisal. If we truly saw each other as blood kin, we could speak the truth openly without fear of losing a brother or sister. With real love there is no wound that separates!

Living in a glass house is a costly endeavor. People, say they want transparency yet refuse to be transparent themselves. Most, when faced with the transparency found in honesty and truth become offended, then seek to destroy those who are transparent. Many have the hurt, “I’m gonna get you and everyone who likes you attitude.”

Churches have split, relationships are lost, some leave and move to a new Church, people change jobs, move to new cities all because of refusals to either tell the truth or listen to truth. Oscar Wilde once said, “Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.” Wow, what a world we are living in. A world of political correctness at any cost, most people have become so fragile that to stand in the boldness of truth would surely destroy their entire lives.

I frequently speak to Pastors who are struggling with hurt feelings, distrust, or second guessing in their Church. Most of this could be done away with, if real conversations could take place. It seems on the Church level, no longer can we have perfectly frank and passionate debate or discussion on any matter. People have become so tender hearted that they can’t deal with the truth and take personal offense. The truth is, if we love one another as we should there is no grievance or offense that can separate us. We may become angry, we may become mad, but at least we can be honest about it. When the fear of reprisal is removed honesty comes much easier.

Christ was preaching and teaching and was approached and told that his mother and brothers wanted to speak with him. His reply was,

Mathew 12:⁴⁸ But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” ⁴⁹ And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! ⁵⁰ For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

One would think that if Mother is outside and wants to see you, that you would take a break and see what she needed. Rather, the implication here is that Jesus was less concerned with offending Mary his mother, over the needs of those of whom he was bonded with in the spirit who obeyed the will of His Father.

Today we are bonded in a greater brother and sisterhood. As Christians we are bonded in the spiritual family and body of Christ. As per Christ example, the bond we have spiritually should be stronger than the bond we have with our earthly brothers and sisters. This being said, I should be more likely and willing to sever my relationship with my earthly family than my spiritual family. I have a younger brother and we can can yell, scream, get mad, call each other names, and in the past even physically fought, but there is nothing that can separate us. This should be even more evident with a spiritual brother. There can be no offense that should separate us.

As spiritual brothers and sisters, we should be able to lock ourselves into a room yell, scream, whatever it takes to get our emotions emptied out onto the table, with complete amnesty. There is nothing that can separate us if we are operating in the spirit of Christ. Granted, if we are operating in the Holy Spirit there won’t be much yelling and screaming, but the point is that even when the flesh comes out we realize that the bonds cannot be broken.

It is ok, to deal with anger, hurt, and disagreements. As long as there is the appearance of peace without honesty we are living in an illusion. Real unity comes when we deal in truth & honest disagreement, yet still worship together. We can have unity in the presence of disagreement as long as we know where each other stands.

Some say that I personally expect too much. I’m not a person that hides my feelings well and have the tendency to be overly blunt speaking my mind. It’s never my intention to be hurtful just honest, in the hopes that someone will hear and be lifted up. What’s more, I really appreciate the same in return. I would rather someone confront me with complete honesty, than to hold onto something and carry it around for months before talking it out. Time is short; we must focus on the gospel. We don’t have time for pettiness.

Philippians 4: ⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. ⁹ The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

I pray this devotion has blessed you today and given some insight.

Serving Christ by Serving You,

Bryan Taunton

Exec. Director FootWash Ministries

btaunton@footwashministries.org