When We Speak About God, Words Matter

When we speak about God and talk about the things of God, the words we choose matter.

We may mean well —our intentions may be good—but when we speak about God inaccurately we delve into dark and dangerous territory. God is not someone to be mocked. Truth is not something to be toyed with but rather something to be celebrated and used to edify others in their spiritual journey.

We must celebrate God’s truth just as we must honor God’s word and show reverence to His work.

We love each other because he loved us first.

1 John 4:19 NLT

Yes, words matter.

For instance, love. God is the very definition of love. He is love. He defines love. God’s love is unconditional and unlimited. God’s love is steadfast. In contrast, human love is limited, broken, and super fragile. Human love is dependent on others. God’s love only depends on its source: God, Himself.

Another word that can be tricky for us is grace. God’s grace transcends human boundaries. He chooses to bestow His unmerited favor upon us through our faith in the atoning work of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary.

Mercy is God not giving us what we deserve but rather giving us what we —by all definition—forfeited. When we deserved His wrath, God showed us His love.

When God showered us with His love, grace, and mercy He didn’t break the Law; God fulfilled the Law. God saving us isn’t a breach of the Law, it’s a fulfillment of it.

It’s important that we read and study God’s word so that when we hear someone say something we will be able to discern what is biblical and what is not. Oftentimes, this is simple. Other times, especially when spoken from the pulpit, it can be a little less obvious.

Take this tidbit from Steven Furtick, the popular pastor of mega mega church Elevation Church:

The Gospel indeed remains Good News. But, God cannot act in a way that is contradictory of His character. While God certainly flipped the script in giving His son Jesus as a blood offering to fully atone for the debt incurred by our sins, He did not break His Law.

God never acts in a manner not in accordance with His character.

The fulfillment of prophesy is a testament to God’s justice and mercy, that is harmoniously interwoven in the redemptive act of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

Through the divine act of providing Jesus as propitiation for our sins, God’s love and justice meet perfectly. The salvation offered through Jesus Christ is not an example of God breaking His Law. Rather, it serves as an expression of God’s love and righteousness.

When we speak about God, words matter…

Isn’t it awesome that through faith in Jesus we are no longer condemned under the Law but graciously given the gift of eternal life?

My friend, I pray your week is wonderful and filled with God’s blessing.

I look forward to hearing from you in the comments.

Praying for us.

You are loved.

Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™