Words III - Consolation ...

Wednesday, June 29, 2016. Let us look at what language and words is good for. When I think about the role words can have, I always remember an event many years ago. I was visiting some friends in a town in West Germany, in Witten. And they took me to a party that evening. I was frustrated, and searching for some encouragement, searching for some path to go for my personal life … and then …

Good Words …

And then one of the people at the party talked to me, just some few words. She asked: how are you. I answered some words, said something like: I don't know for sure how I am or so. And she expressed understanding that things might be difficult sometimes. I do not know what happened that moment. I do not remember the name of the person. But what I remember is that I felt completely consoled. It was like: all is good now. Just a few words were necessary! But exactly the right words which reached my own soul.

Today I would say that this person had the gift of comfort, the spiritual gift of encouragement. There are so many talents in the Christian church - among those who believe in Jesus. It is an exciting story! The point is that we can do so much when the spirit comes and works in us. It is not us, but we are part of it! And it is much about words, about words of consolation and encouragement. They can make a real difference!

Words who express appreciation are important. And you can do so much! But also the critical words can help. Here, we need to be really careful, since we can also destroy a lot by choosing the wrong words. Yet, it would be a wrong choice not to address problems, not to address the truth in an appropriate way. Sometimes it slips out where we did not expect it - and then many things can happen. We cannot hide the truth for too long. But let us listen to what the apostle Paul writes about

Consolation …

1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

(1 Cor 14, 1-5)

There is a lot in these few lines. The discussion of “speaking in tongues” would fill a whole session itself. Our main focus today is that the author urges the Christians to speak for upbuilding the church, the community of believers. He urges us to encourage each other and to console each other. Paul has a clear focus, which is the support of those who believe in Christ, with full sincerity.

It is absolutely exciting that Christians are strongly urged to search the gift of prophesy. This does not necessarily talk about foretelling the future. But it is about the word of God. It is about insight into who God is in Christ Jesus, about insight into his will and his character. It is about our relationship to God, about a life filled with truth and love and joy. (Roland Potthast) ... more texts