Graciousness: Tempering Truth with Love

Sometimes we have important things to say to other Christians, but if we deliver our message ungraciously, they won’t benefit from it. 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 God’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!

Endorsements

“Truth matters. But as the apostle Paul wrote, we must always speak the truth ‘in love.’ For the Christian, our demeanor is just as important as our words. John Crotts helpfully reminds us that graciousness is at the very heart of the Christian life and is essential to the health of the church. Graciousness is an articulate, biblical, and pastoral reflection on graciousness and how God’s people can cultivate this character in their life. Crotts’s message is urgently needed in the church and deserves careful consideration by any disciple who treasures the grace of God.”
—R. Albert Mohler Jr., president, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and author of We Cannot Be Silent: Speaking Truth to a Culture Redefining Sex, Marriage, and the Very Meaning of Right and Wrong

“John Crotts has written a remarkable book about an unremarkable topic—graciousness. There is more here than appropriate exhortations to gracious conduct. Crotts diagnoses the disease of ungraciousness and applies the strong medicine of heart examination, repentance, and full embrace of the gospel. Then he leads the reader into deeper insight into graciousness in our speech, our actions, and the communities we develop. Read this book; let it read you.”
—Tedd Tripp, pastor, author, and conference speaker

“There is a well of wisdom in this book on how to adorn your commitment to the truth with love, humility, and graciousness. Read this book and then give it away.”
—Stephen J. Nichols

Contents

Preface

1. Why This Issue Is Important for You
2. The Graciousness You Need
3. Learning from the Gracious Example of Jesus Christ
4. Learning from Paul
5. The Truth about an Ungracious Church
6. Cultivating Graciousness in Your Heart
7. Cultivating a Gracious Mind-Set toward Others
8. Cultivating Graciousness through Your Actions
9. Cultivating Graciousness in Community
10. The Gospel and Graciousness