This week, we are featuring a series of reflections by Brian Harriett on music from dc Talk, a Christian rock/rap trio founded in 1987.

Colossians 3:17 (CEB)

17 Whatever you do, whether in speech or action, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus and give thanks to God the Father through him.


Reflection

Words come easy but don’t mean much
When the words they’re sayin’ you can’t put trust in
We’re talkin’ ’bout love in a different light
And if we all learn to love it will be just right (Come on!)

DC TALK (“LUV IS A VERB,” 1992)

We, as a church and individuals, need to be transparent and truthful in how we present ourselves to others. It’s sometimes easy to rationalize that we are being loving to others when we take time to speak to them, but it may be totally different in how they actually perceive our words. Tullian Tchividjian points out in his book One Way Love: Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhausted World, how sometimes what we speak can be perceived as judgmental rather than graceful.

“In fact, the Christian faith has often been perceived (and experienced) as the ultimate vehicle of conditionality. Christians may talk about God being loving and forgiving, but what they mean is that God loves and forgives those who are good and clean – who meet His conditions, in other words.” (Tchividjian, 2013)

Billy Graham quipped about his grandson Tchividjian’s book, “I have been greatly encouraged by the emergence of a new generation of committed and articulate Christian leaders…” Being a committed church member is only half of the equation. Being mindful and loving in how you speak to others combines to help us reflect both Jesus’ grace and love for others.

By Brian Harriett


For Pondering & Prayer

Being a Christian is more than just having a fish (ichthus) or a bumper sticker on your car – if you drive like a demon, that’s how you will most likely represent your Lord. Have you taken the extra time to act out your love by communicating to others in a graceful and non-judgmental way?

Prayer: Whenever another comes my way, I have a choice. Lord, put your words in my mouth to more clearly reflect your loving and graceful kindness. Amen.