"PAIRED TOGETHER"

Scripture: Ephesians 4:15

Modern technology has produced many great devices in the past several years. These devices can function independently but to get the greatest benefit from them, they are designed to be paired with another device.  Garage doors can now be paired with technology in our cars so that we can open the garage by pressing a button in the car.  The garage door opener can function independently but its usage is enhanced when it is paired with the technology in the car. Our cell phones are designed with technology so that we can pair it with light switches in our homes. When paired together, we can literally control the lights in our house even though we may be miles away. The lights and the cell phone can both function independently but their usage is enhanced when they are paired together.

Long before modern technology had captured the benefits of pairing, the Bible had introduced it as a divine principle.  Two of those are truth and love.  The Bible tells us to speak the truth in love. While speaking the truth is something that we should certainly do, if we pair it with love we get the greater benefit from it. They both can function independently but are enhanced when paired together. There are those who feel liberty to confront people and speak the truth. When truth is not paired with love then the full benefit of the two will not be experienced. Love softens the sting of truth and sweetens its bitterness.

 Because I am not as technologically savvy as others, I don't get the full benefit of many of my devices. I use them but they have much more to offer if I would learn how to pair them. I still have a remote control for my garage door opener even though both of my vehicles are equipped with pairing technology.  If it were easy I would have paired them by now. Pairing takes effort and must be intentional.  Honesty and truth are better received when paired with love. Let's make it our intentional effort to pair the two together.