Just level with them…

HE tells me the truth.

John 8:32 (NIV), "JESUS said you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." 

JESUS loves you just the way you are but HE loves you too much to let you stay that way.  So HE tells you the truth.  Why?  Because it is the truth that sets you free.  First, it makes us miserable, but then it sets us free. 

We don't like to hear the truth about ourselves.  We just like to hear good stuff.  But because JESUS is kind, HE levels with you.  HE tells you the truth.  HE says, "You're blowing it" when you are.  HE tells you the truth about yourselves, your motives, your relationships, sin, what's right and what's wrong, whether it's politically correct or not.

One of the reasons I know the Bible is true is because it is so gut level honest about the heroes.  Most biographies gloss over the weak points of the person.  But in the Bible when it says things like, "David was a man after GOD's own heart" it also says he had a guy killed so he could get his wife.  Blatantly honest. 

To being kind like CHRIST mean to level with your friends.

Sometimes the kindest thing you can do for somebody is tell them the truth.  Level with them.  Progress comes as a result of feedback. Growth comes as the result of feedback.   Since none of us is perfect we all need to be corrected.  We all need somebody who'll level with us.  JESUS tells us the truth in kindness and HE wants you to tell other people the truth.  It's the kind thing to do.

Ephesians 4;15 (Amp), "Let our lives lovingly express the truth in all things."  The way you can be kind is by caring enough to confront, to tell the truth. 

Just a thought from the front porch…