Part One
One
Birthright (of many) from the New Birth
A ‘birthright’ is a right given to someone by their birth.
Because they have been born, they have a right to something. That ‘something’
is theirs. That ‘something’ belongs to them and they can take advantage of it
and use it for themselves or others. It is their right. It belongs to them.
A Christian is born again through faith in Jesus Christ as
Lord and Savior. Because they have been born this way, they have a right from
God to express loving words of grace. This right to express loving words of
grace is yours as a Christian. It belongs to you and you can use it for
yourself and others. Since words can be spoken and written, and since we speak
and write quite often, it would be offensive to God if we ignore (despise, have
contempt for) the right He has given to us. Dare we say, “Lord, I am just not
motivated by the rights you have given”?
Esau had the birthright of the firstborn, a double portion of
his father’s estate. God saw fit to record Esau’s contempt for the birthright
that was his. You are probably familiar with the story found in Genesis
25:29-34.
Esau said, “of what use is a birthright to me?” (25:32)
Thus Esau despised his birthright (25:34). A bowl of beans
was more important to him.
Esau’s reputation stands low because of what God has said. I
know that I will not please God if I ignore the birthright He has given to me. And
I know that God has given to me, and all Christians, the right (by new birth)
to communicate with loving and gracious words.
Here is what I mean by ‘grace’. Grace is a favorable attitude
toward someone regardless of who they are and what they have done. It means the
door is open to that someone for a holy relationship, God’s way.
Here is what I mean by ‘love’ (agape). God defines His love
in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. It is my desire to call attention to the way love
affects communication through the spoken and written word. Specifically, “Love is
patient and kind; love does not boast; it is not arrogant (proud) or rude.” 1
Corinthians 13:4, 5a
I am asserting that God gives all Christians the right to
disagree with others through words that are both gracious and loving; even if
the disagreement involves sin. May God richly bless this birthright He has
given to us; and may we not despise it.
Communicating
with Grace
“Let your speech (and writing) always be gracious, seasoned
with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians
4:6
Therefore, the vast majority of our words should be gracious,
that is, the vast majority of our words should display a favorable attitude
toward the other, so that it is clear that a holy relationship is desired. If
we use words that hurt, or cast doubt on the other, then they rightly conclude
that we are after a victory over them. The conversation becomes a contest where
people get hurt, and any chance of a holy relationship can disappear over the
distant horizon. When it is needful to say something ‘salty’ (spicy, it can
sting) our words should be few. This is how we ought to answer each person.
And as always, it can be a trial of our faith to do what we
ought to do when others are out for victory.
Christians should reflect upon whether the world’s way of
debate and argument is godless or not. We affect the lives of others with our
words more than we affect them any other way.
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths (keyboards)
but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may
give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29
Jesus prayed in John 17 that His followers should be one, as
He and the Father were one. This comes to pass when we refuse to use talk that
corrupts the Christian families’ relationships. No one enjoys being publicly
embarrassed and humiliated. And ‘building yourself up’ by sending graceless
words at your opponent is a sinful interpretation of this passage. It is not a
good thing when we finish a disagreement with the other person doubting whether
we want a relationship with them at all.
If we must compete with one another, let it be as follows. “Out
do one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:10
While there are times when we should ‘correct’ and even
‘reprove’ one another (2 Timothy 3:16), it does not follow that such times
should lead us to use words in an ungodly way. From time to time Christians
should evaluate whether they have been practicing worldly (godless) methods of
communication. From kindergarten to grave American Christians are surrounded by
multitudes of people who drag each other down for personal gain or
satisfaction.
Nevertheless, the Christian birthright is to use loving words
of grace. Any victory that requires the use of unholy communication is, by
definition, outside of the kingdom of God. It is worthwhile for us to ask if
unloving words that reject others are the result of walking in fellowship with
the Holy Spirit.
Communicating
in love
“1 If I speak in the
tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging
cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic
powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all
faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up
my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not boast;
it is not arrogant (proud) 5 or rude.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-5
Verse 1 says that no matter what I say, if it is not in love
(patience, kindness, modesty, humility, politeness) then I am a noisy gong or a
clanging cymbal. When we are having a conversation with loving words of grace,
building one another up, showing honor to one another, and someone starts
repeatedly banging a gong or a cymbal, then meaningful conversation is over! We
have a major distraction. Impatient words, mean words, boastful words, proud
words and rude words immerse loving and gracious words under annoying noise.
Christian fellowship is quenched by sin.
Verse 2 and 3 can be accurately abbreviated by saying that no
matter what I think (verse 2) or what I do (verse 3), without love I am
nothing. It is not unreasonable to conclude that our words are directly related
to our thoughts, and communication itself is something we ‘do’.
Therefore, is it fair to say: “No matter what I say, if it is
not in a loving way then I am an annoying nothing who gains nothing”?
But the Christian birthright of speaking loving words of
grace offers the blessing of us being “Pleasant somebodies who gain something”.
I am confident that God sees things this way. It is worthwhile for Christians
to consider who it is that they want to please. Choose to please God.
This idea
of ‘loving words of grace’ is too idealistic!
I think God disagrees that it is too idealistic. Rather, it
is just ‘ideal’.
“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is
perfect”. Matthew 5:48
“But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all
your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter
1:15, 16
Choosing the virtue of ‘loving words of grace’ is no more
impractical than our Lord’s words about perfection and holiness. Indeed, loving
words of grace are needed to fulfill perfection and holiness.
The Lord Jesus Christ is our Master and our Savior from sin.
If you do not reject Him as your Master, then He will also save you from the
wrath that follows the Day of Judgment. And our words are a major part of that
Day.
“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (hand
writes). The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the
evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day
of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak
(write), for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be
condemned.” Matthew 12:34-37
Loving
words of grace will be a normal part of eternal life when sin is removed!
The above statement is easy to agree with, right?
You may have just unwrapped a major insight. Eternal life
begins the moment you are born again. Eternal life can be yours right now. Live
it now. Sin is the problem. Eternal life being ‘far off’ is not the problem.
“Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness,
gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to
which you were called…” 1 Timothy 5:11, 12
Believe that eternal life is for now. Get rid of the sin.
Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called. Let loving words of grace
build others up. It is your right by the new birth. Don’t despise this
birthright, treasure it.