Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Ephesians 4: 15-16

In light of the passage above, Paul wants to see his friends grow deeper in their faith so that they grow up! The best, the deepest and closest friends, are willing to “speak the truth in love.” This doesn’t mean we are to water down the truth. It has more to do with tone and attitude. I know this from personal experience because I am usually more than willing to speak the truth, but the tone can be (as a friend once described it) harsh.

The best, the deepest, and the closest friends that I have or that I’ve ever had have one thing in common. They all have each loved me enough to tell me things about my life that no one else cared enough to say.

Chip Ingram

What do you think about the quote above? Do you have that type of friend? Are you that type of friend?

I think the most significant part of Chip’s quote is that his closest friends “loved me enough to tell me things about my life that no one else cared enough to say.” Good friends speak from a loving perspective. They want the friendship to endure so they are willing to say the hard things when necessary.

So, these questions are worth repeating – Do you have that type of friend? Are you that type of friend?