Book Review: Graciousness by John Crotts

Christians are called to speak the truth. We are called to speak the truth of the gospel message and to rebuke sin in a fellow believer. We are also called to correct wrong theology in a fellow believer as we speak to one another. However, there are times when speak in truth, but we are not gracious with our words. You might hear a gospel presentation where the gospel is presented, but it is done with harsh words. When one is being corrected, it is done by a believer who is being rude in his approach.

Christian are called to speak the truth, but we are also called to speak in love. John Crotts has written a book where he looks at how Christians can speak and act towards around them. The book is titled, Graciousness: Tempering Truth With Love In this book, Crotts examines why being gracious in ours words is very important. He wrote that God not cares about what you say, but how you say it. Yes, we must speak the truth, but it must be done in love. Christians are to be zealous for the truth, but not to the point where we come flying off the handle to win an argument.

Granted everyone who speaks God's truth is flawed, but, according to Crotts, "adding graciousness to communication produces added persuasiveness." People will be turned away if you are there if you are trying to win an argument. When we speak the truth in love to one another, they are more willing to listen and respond positively then hearing one coming to them that speaks truth but has no love in their manner.

Crotts goes to examine the graciousness of Jesus and how Christians need to model how he interact with people. Yes, he was blunt with the religious leaders, but to the sinner, he was always gentle. Crotts, later turns his attention to the Apostle Paul and how he was gracious during his ministry. The rest of the book deals with how the believer can cultivate gracious, not only in their own lives, but also the community of faith. Finally, Crotts closes the book with the gospel and how it affects in the area of being gracious. When we grasp the gospel, it will help us become a people who will speak the truth in love to those around us.

In this day and age, the culture does not want to hear truth, but Christians are called to speak the truth. We must speak the truth in love. Jesus was that way in this earthly ministry and we, as His followers, must follow suit. This book is a helpful guide for Christians to become more gracious in their speech.

Thanks Reformation Hertiage for letting me review this book.