Pastor's Pen 23rd August 2015

 Words of encouragement

Some of us are talkers and some of us not so much. But whether our words are many or few we all need to stop every once in a while and take a measure of what’s coming out of our mouths. The significant point in all this is that if we claim to have fellowship with Christ the words that flow from us should be a reflection of the new life and the hope we have in Him. But sometimes our perspectives are twisted and we believe the lie of the world that our life is all about us and us getting everything we want, rather than God having His way in us.

The truth is we have been purchased by the precious blood of Christ, redeemed from a hopeless existence to become children of God. This means our life is no longer our own but belongs to Christ. When this is real for us the flow out of our mouths becomes fresh with the encouragement we have from being in Christ.

This is hugely important because the encouragement that comes from our mouths is central to the mission we have all been called to in living for Jesus and sharing Him with others. In Acts 13 when Paul and his companions were moving from region to region to share about Jesus and they came to Pisidian Antioch the Jewish leaders entreated them, “if you have a word of encouragement...please speak.” (v15)

Paul takes his opportunity and shares not some message that simply made them feel better or endorsed their ignorance, but he encouraged them with “the good news” (v32). The good news that he shared was the gospel; a word of encouragement that was grounded in the new beginnings only possible in Jesus Christ...new life (v34) and forgiveness for sins (v38).

For us then, as we seek to live our lives in obedience to Christ and under the direction and leading of the Holy Spirit, we must understand that there is an inaudible request hanging over every relationship God has gifted to us. That request that is heavy with expectation lingers over every conversation we have with every single person God has privileged us to influence. The request is this: “if you have a message of encouragement… please speak.” The logical implication of that is if you haven't got anything encouraging to say please don’t speak!!!

This is not about being flowery or false, far from it. The only true encouragement we can offer comes from the power and truth of the gospel, and that means we may have to confront some sins and deceptions that are threatening to destroy those precious people around us. But remember the word “encouragement”. Its means we won’t be beating people down but picking them up; not hacking them apart with our words but building them up in love. Jesus is wanting to shine through us and encourage those around us with the good news. Are we able to offer them that encouragement?

So whether you speak a lot or just a little, there is just one condition on the words that come out our mouths; if we are going to speak let it be with words of encouragement.

Ps. Steve.