Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 176:701 (Jan 2019)
Article: From The Editor
Author: Glenn R. Kreider

From The Editor

Glenn R. Kreider

“Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ” (Eph 4:15, NIV).

In a polarized and divided world like ours, Paul’s encouragement to the church in Ephesus is particularly timely. It is not enough to speak the truth; it must be in love. And love means that many times we must speak, even when it’s hard, even when it costs something, even when there are reasons not to speak. As an ancient poet put it, “There is a time for everything . . . a time to be silent and a time to speak” (Eccl 3:1, 7).

To say it another way, Christians would do well to practice speaking with courage and compassion. May it be said of us in this generation as John said of our Savior in his: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). We are not God in the flesh, but we are the body of Christ and thus should reveal his character.