Graciousness: Tempering Truth With Love

John Crotts is the pastor of Faith Bible Church in Sharpsburg, Georgia.  John graduated from Liberty University in 1990 and received his MDiv degree from The Master's Seminary in Los Angeles and his DMin degree from Southern Seminary in Louisville.  He has served as a board member of  The Fellowship of Independent Reformed Evangelicals.  
The Lord has blessed John and his wife, Lynn, with three daughters and a son; Charissa, Danielle, Chloe, and Josiah.

Sometimes we have important things to say to other Christians, but if we deliver our message ungraciously, they won't benefit.  Author John Crotts points out that God cares about how we say what we say:  "It is not enough always to say the truth; you must also say the truth in love."  In Graciousness, the author addresses Christians who are zealous for od's truth yet struggle to communicate it graciously - in a loving way.  Filled with practical instruction and wise insights, this book includes a biblical description of graciousness, with a look at positive examples and commands from the Bible and methods for cultivating graciousness in various areas of the Christian life.  Be equipped to speak the truth in love!

My Thoughts:
Comming in at just 137 pages, Graciousness by John Crotts is packed with Scriptural exhortation and practical application.  
Chapter titles include:

• Why this issue is important for you
• The Graciousness you need
• Learning from the gracious example of Jesus Christ
• Learning from Paul
• The truth about an ungracious church
• Cultivating graciousness in your heart
• Cultivating a gracious mind-set toward others
• Cultivating graciousness through your actions
• Cultivating graciousness in community
• The gospel and graciousness

Endorsed by R. Albert Mohler (president, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) and Stephen J. Nichols (president, Reformation Bible College and chief academic officer, Ligonier Ministries), Graciousness is an invaluable resource that should be on every Bible-believing, faith-filled believer's shelf.  I know that I will be returning to it often.  A zeal for the truth is important but the delivery of that truth is so important if we actually want others to really hear/listen to what we are saying.  Crotts, in his conversational/teaching style, conveys the why and the how of gracious communication with others while helping readers to drill down to the heart level of the matter.  And, he reminds us all that the ultimate aim is the glory of God.

You can listen to an interview with the author HERE.

*I received a complimentary copy of the book.  All opinions stated here are my own.

Blessings,
Jennifer