Who Will Stand For God’s WordToday?
2 Timothy 4:2
to preach God’s message. Do it willingly, even if it isn’t the popular thing to do. You must correct people and point out their sins. But also cheer them up, and when you instruct them, always be patient. CEV
As the partisan politics of the day play out – in the political world and in the church too – a number of my colleagues are weighing in with their thoughts. Everyone is entitled to their opinion for sure. It seems to me that those who line up on the left theologically are lining up on the left ideologically and politically. The same can be said about those who line up on the right theologically – as they also tend to line up on the right ideologically and politically. The United Methodist Church’s map almost perfectly matches the red and blue map of the political scene. We are so divided and see the other side as the wrong ones and at times – the enemy.
I’ve mentioned many times that I would love to be able to preach thewarm and fuzzy theology that some seem to preach. I would love to say thateveryone goes to heaven or thatthere is no place some call hell or to say that there are other ways to heaven than Jesus.But I cannot – because it would be heretical to do so.
Some pastors will do almost anything it seems to be liked by their congregations. I’ve known pastors who are people pleasers (many are it seems). I personally will do most anything to keep peace in the church – as far as it involves me and what I wear – how I work – etc. Where I draw the line – and I hope many pastors draw the line here – is with the truth of God’s Word. I will not dilute the Word of God. I will not water it down (for those who don’t know what dilute means – lol). I will not back away from preaching and teaching the truth of God’s Word. The church cannot be the salt of the earth if we keep sugar coating the Word of God.
Some pastors – IMHO – seem to be drawn toward political correctness. A social agenda seems to supersede the truth of God’s Word for some. I was reading some church publications recently online – and some of our churches and even some of our conferences seem more focused on social correctness rather than understanding the truth found in God’s Word. EVEN the church is pulling away from the truth of God’s Word – it seems.
A young pastor – Timothy – was told by an older pastor/Apostle – Paul – to be willing to preach the Word of God – even if it meant being unpopular. Here is today’s passage in partial context from the CEV (Contemporary English Version of the Bible) – 2 Timothy 4:1-5 – 1 When Christ Jesus comes as king, he will be the judge of everyone, whether they are living or dead. So with God and Christ as witnesses, I command you 2 to preach God’s message. Do it willingly, even if it isn’t the popular thing to do. You must correct people and point out their sins. But also cheer them up, and when you instruct them, always be patient. 3 The time is coming when people won’t listen to good teaching. Instead, they will look for teachers who will please them by telling them only what they are itching to hear. 4 They will turn from the truth and eagerly listen to senseless stories. 5 But you must stay calm and be willing to suffer. You must work hard to tell the good news and to do your job well. CEV
The time is coming when people won’t listen to good teaching. Instead, they will look for teachers who will please them by telling them only what they are itching to hear.This might just be a very good definition for what is happening in the church in general – people are striving after social correctness rather than Scriptural holiness. Going after what society is teaching rather than what the Bible teaches is not what the church should be about. If that is what it takes to be popular – count me out. So with God and Christ as witnesses, I command you to preach God’s message. Do it willingly, even if it isn’t the popular thing to do. You must correct people and point out their sins. But also cheer them up, and when you instruct them, always be patient.
Each person – each pastor – has to examine their own heart and do as the Holy Spirit directs them. As for me – I will side with the truth of the Scriptures at all times – even if it means persecution and being unpopular. I truly believe that Bible believing Christian pastors – lay people – and their churches in the USA (not Egypt or Iraq) will soon be under heavy persecution for standing for the truth of God’s Word. Who will stand? An NFL player recently spoke truth at a commencement service and he has taken a lot of criticism for it. Another NFL player drank a beer on stage and was wildly applauded and supported.
Some will say they are being faithful to the Scriptures by pressing for social norms. I’m just not convinced that you can side with social norms and at the same time side with God’s will.Romans 12:2 – Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. In order to know God’s will – we need to NOT conform any longer to the patterns of the world. We need to seek God’s will rather than humanities’ will. Just saying! Who will stand?
Just something for us to think about today as we go on our way.
May 30, 2024 - Posted by raymcdonald | Build, Church, Community, Daily Devotion, Denomination, Discipleship, Encouragement, Evangelism, Faith Journey, Family, From the Pastor, Holy Spirit, Leadership, Marriage, Outreach, Personal, Theology | 2 Timothy 4:1-5, 2 Timothy 4:2, Apostle, beer, CEV, Christ, Church, Contemporary English Version of the Bible, God's word, Holy Spirit, IMHO, lay people, Paul, PC, political correctness, Romans 12:2, salt of the earth, scriptural authority, scriptural holiness, social agenda, Timothy
