“And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, to be a minister of Christ Jesus…” (Romans 15:14-16 NASB1995)

In context, these words were addressed specifically to the Christians in Rome. And this seems to also be a continuation of Paul’s conversation he was having with them as recorded in Romans 14 and 15 about not passing judgment on one another with regard to disputable matters (differences of opinion). And this subject was discussed in the previous writing, “Bearing Their Weaknesses.” We should not argue over disputable matters.

So, when Paul stated to this group of Christians that he was convinced that they were full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another, this is not to be taken as God’s words to everyone who professes faith in Jesus Christ today. This is not a doctrinal teaching. He was encouraging them after he had rebuked and corrected them, yet he was letting them know that his words of correction were necessary for them.

Paul really set a model for how we should speak to one another in the faith if we know personally the people to whom we are speaking. Sometimes we will have to speak words of correction to help one another to stop doing what none of us should be doing, and to encourage each other to do what is right and just and holy. If we can, we should find positive things that we can say to and about the people we are addressing so that they do not lose heart.

But we should never lie to people to try to make them feel good. We should always be honest. But honest doesn’t necessitate being nasty. We can speak truth, but speak it in love and with kindness and consideration, but without compromising truth which some do just to not offend anyone. Truth hurts sometimes. But correction is necessary sometimes, too. But if we can find the good in people, too, in those we know, that is good for us to do, too.

Now, for us who are writers, who are writing out what we are learning from our times spent in the Word of God each day, and who are posting these writings on the internet, we don’t generally know the people to whom these messages will go, so we cannot say with confidence anything specific about our readers. So I cannot say that I am convinced of anything about you who are reading this. So all I can do is to share with you what I am learning.

But I pray that you will take what I share with you to the Lord in prayer, and that you would ask the Lord to teach you from his word what lesson he would have for you to get from it, according to the correct biblical context. I pray for all of us, if we are communicating with others in ways which are not good that we would learn better ways of communicating that are helpful, but also biblical, and that are honest, and not compromising of truth in any way.

[Acts 2:14-18,42-47; Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 14:1-5; Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:1-16; Ephesians 5:15-21; Ephesians 6:10-20; Philippians 2:1-8; Colossians 3:12-16; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:23-25; James 5:19-20]

Better Is

Based in part off Proverbs 27
An Original Work / October 5, 2018
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Better is Love’s chastisement from a friend,
Than to have your sins coddled to no end.

Wisdom is seeing danger – flees from sin,
Trusting in your Redeemer, pure within.

Jesus is your salvation – freed from sin –
Giving you life eternal, without end.

Trusting in His provisions, peace within,
Simply by giving your life all to Him.

Living your life for Jesus ev’ry day,
Tell of His mighty power, lives to save.

Listening to Him speaking to your heart,
Tell of His grace which gave you a new start.

Finding Better Ways to Communicate
An Original Work / March 18, 2026
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love