Let’s Dance: Leading My Words – Friday
Ephesians 4:29
Let everything you say be good and helpful so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (NLT)
There is a popular psychology that says, “It shouldn’t matter what other people say about you, it only matters what you think about you.” That may be popular… but it just doesn’t work. It’s not true. We need words from others.
At the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry, he was baptized, and from heaven God said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” It was an identity-defining moment and a powerful confirmation—words from the Father.
At the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, he was crucified, and the voice from heaven was silent. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” (Matthew 27:46) Jesus got the cosmic silent treatment. Imagine what that would be like!
Why? Because you and I have been abusing each other with our words since the beginning. We’ve made such a mess of our societies because of our words, the way we’ve slashed each other, cut each other down, and used words to hurt and harm. We deserve the silent treatment. We deserve the punishment. But Jesus took it for us.
And here’s the incredible thing, because of that, we get to hear these words over us, “You are my beloved child, in whom I am well pleased”. We get the audacious claim of Romans 8:16, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ”.
It’s not like other religions that say if you live a good life and when you get to the end, God might accept you into Heaven. No. Through the Holy Spirit, because Jesus took the penalty for you, you get to hear God say to you, “I’m delighted in you, you are my child”. The only word we truly need. The only word that will truly heal our hearts.
If you hear that, to the degree that it resonates in your soul, you won’t need to lie anymore, you won’t need to boast, you won't need to hurt others with your words, and you will finally be free… free to love others with your words.
Friday’s Reflection
Let’s end the week thankful for the good news of the Gospel. Through Jesus, we can be made right with God. He gives us his righteousness and also a new heart. Interested in making your commitment to Jesus public? Check out our baptism page to get started!
