That is probably something we have all had run though our minds at some point. I know I have and it was not always when judging the thoughts or actions of others. There have been times when I proved that I was not as smart as I might have thought. We all do it so welcome to the club. But the question is why?
The answer is really very simple. We just aren't that smart. Yes, we know a lot of things that truly matter but we are actually very ignorant. Not just me and you but all of us.
We know that when we are here on this earth we know things. Yet in the larger matters we know very little. None of us, and I mean none of us, remember anything before we were born and got to a point where we had memory of things. Also, beyond this life we have only what the Scripture tells us. To be honest, it paints a big picture of a landscape but there is a lot of detail we just don't know.
We are capable of understanding some things and when we find ourselves unable to understand we have our imaginations which comes into play. I have always felt that I had a pretty good imagination but I have to admit I never saw coming where we are today. There is a real disconnect as to how we as people act, react and interact with others. The common word today in cancellation. Canceling someone or someone's based on the fact they have another thought or idea different from another. Now, I have to say that this is a dangerous way for people to respond to one another. Yet my question is this, why and how do they get to cancel someone? I mean there may be some folks out there I would like to see cancelled but I digress.
Paul said this in 2 Timothy 4:3-
“The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear”
In this Paul is saying that a time will come when people will want to hear what they want. Not what they need to hear. Specifically Paul is talking in the realm of what God's Word says. Yet in the bigger picture what we see today is that is not only true in relation to what God's Word says in the church but what people outside of the church conclude about other things such as the natural order of things. Because the natural order affects all whether Christian or not.
In the early days when people were following Jesus Himself, they complained about some of His words. In John 6:60, 66 we read-
60 “Many of his disciples said, ʻThis is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?’
66 . . . From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him”
Walking away from hard truth is easy to do. It happened then and it is happening now. In the postmodern church of today, we are seeing this phenomenon. It is as real as what we see happening in the culture of this 21st century. The hard part is knowing what to do and then doing it. I mean we don't like confrontation, but that is exactly what may have to occur in order to change what is happening.
2 Timothy 4:2 Paul told young Timothy to-
2 “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction”
Listen please, you don't have to be a preacher to tell people the truth. As a matter of fact,\ you may do better in telling them because they will listen to you but not to a preacher. Regardless of whether you are a preacher or a saint it is always about the truth and the Word of God. We can't fear making people angry or uncomfortable.
In 2 Corinthians 4:2 Paul said-
2 “We have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God”
We have reached a place in human society that I have to be honest, it scares me. I know I pray each day and then as I interact with people and preach His Word I keep in the forefront that it is all about what He says and not what I might say. I guard my thoughts and my mouth so that what I think and what I say are only what is consistent with the Word of God and the leadership of His Holy Spirit.
My hope is that you will also find yourself as Paul said earlier-
2 “We have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God”
Have a great day and a wonderful weekend as you worship Him in your church.
In God's Grace,
Elbert Nasworthy
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