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In Gordon Cheng's book, 'Encouragement: How Words Change Lives', he advocates speaking the truth in love. In view of this, I feel the need to disclose a few facts. I've known Gordon since I began university. I've had to put up with his the endless Monty Python recitations, even being roped into performing some skits together in college reviews. We did some of our ministry and theological college training together, before both working in university ministry in different parts of the country. Our wives are both named Fiona and they shared a house together before they were married (to each of us respectively). Most importantly, I regularly won our push-up competitions.
In all seriousness, I say these things because we often don't have a clue about the life of an author, and whether they practise what they preach. It's one thing to write a book about 'encouraging words' and quite another to live it out. In my experience, this author walks the talk. Despite the silly banter between us, he's always aiming to build up rather than tear down. He's been quick to add encouraging comments to this blog and he's spent time on the phone encouraging me in the struggles I've been going through this year. And he hasn't offered any cash for comments here!
Encouragement is a word that's commonly thrown around in Christian circles to mean whatever we want it to mean. This book offers a biblically-shaped definition:
Christian encouragement is speaking the truth in love, with the aim of building Christians up in Christ-likeness, as we wait for the day of judgement. Christian encouragement will likewise involve speaking the truth in love to unbelievers, thus encouraging them to put their trust in Christ for forgiveness and salvation. (p11)
This definition draws on many parts of Scripture, but is particularly based in Ephesians 4:
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:11-16)
There are four parts to this definition. Truth and love are both essential for genuine Christian encouragement. Words of 'truth' can be used to cause harm – this is not encouragement. The truth can be distorted or lost, with the aim of 'loving' another – neither is this encouragement. Notice also, that there are two recipients in view, the Christian and the unbeliever. Truth and love, grounded in the message of Jesus Christ, is what will both build Christians and offer life to those who don't as yet believe.
The overarching context for Christian encouragement is the coming day of judgement. If, as Hebrews 9:27 says, it's appointed for all people to die and then to face judgement, then genuine Christian encouragement will be shaped and directed by this reality. How we live, and what we decide and do and say, matters. The reason we can offer encouragement in the face of judgement is because Jesus Christ, the One who was full of love and truth, has already taken the judgement in our place. Jesus' death and resurrection changes everything, and this is the core message of encouragement we have to share.
In this postmodern world it's easy to be dismissive of words, as if they're empty of real significance or power. However, the Bible demonstrates the enormous power of words. God is the one who spoke the universe into existence and who maintains everything by his powerful world. The same word that creates life also brings new life in Jesus. We're encouraged to draw deeply on God's powerful word, as we offer hope for life and bring encouragement to others. Soaking ourselves in the Scriptures will help equip us to offer the right words in season. However, we're not talking about mindless parroting of the Bible here. There'll be times to speak and times to refrain from speaking. There'll be occasions to read from God's word and occasions to apply godly wisdom and common sense. If we lack the ability to choose what to say, and if or when, and how to say it, then we're urged to pra...
