|
In my last article we were seeing that "christians" don't suffer persecution unless they dare to challenge the culture, status quo, and sinful lifestyle in the world we live in. As long as we are living a lukewarm, compromised lifestyle, we will not experience persecution.
But what does it take to break free from the "gray area" and point out that things are either black, or they are white--they are either right or they are wrong. Does a person have to be "perfect" to speak out? Are any of us holy enough to tell someone else that they have sin in their life? Wouldn't that make us judgmental?
These questions come because, again, we live in a society that views intolerance as the greatest evil. But what does the Bible tell us to do? When Jesus sent His followers out, He told them to "preach, saying, repent! for the Kingdom of God is at hand!" These followers were born in sin just like the people they were preaching to. These followers weren't perfect. These followers needed forgiveness just as much as anyone else. Yet, Jesus sent them.
The question isn't whether we are righteous enough to speak against sin. The question is what the Word of God has to say about sin. John the Baptist wasn't perfect, but he told Herod--the King--that the relationship he had with his brother's wife was sin. How could he say that? Because that's what the Word of God says!
Someone once said that "Christianity is one lost begger telling another where to find bread." It's not a matter of the messenger being perfect, but the perfection of the message. We aren't perfect, but Christ is! And He is the One who told us to "go into all the world and preach the gospel."
When Peter and John were standing in front of the Sanhedrin because they were detained for preaching in Jesus name, they were told not to do that anymore. Peter's response was, "you decide for yourselves whether it is better to obey men rather than God." Of course, the answer is that we should absolutely obey God. And it was God who said, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded."
Therefore, it is our commission from God Himself, to preach an uncompromised message and teach people to obey His commands. And the Lord's commands are just that--commands. They leave no room for the "tolerance" of sin. They are a call to holiness! They are a standard of righteousness! Paul said, "these times of ignorance God overlooked in the past, but He now calls all men everywhere to repent."
The message hasn't changed. It is the same now as when John the Baptist, Jesus, Peter and Paul preached it. Turn away from sin and toward the living God! Cleanse your hands you sinners, purify your hearts you double-minded! Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.
This is a perfect message from an imperfect messenger... |
