Cling to Truth
I still remember the way my hands shook.
Never, in all my born days, did I actually expect to stand in front of someone I looked up to and tell them that I disagreed, Biblically, with what they had said.
But it had been wrong. And I couldn’t pretend that it was right. Nor could I ignore the blunder.
It was one of the hardest things I ever did. And even though the man accepted my words, even though he nodded and said, very gently, that he stood corrected— I felt no pleasure. It humbled me and it humbled him. But it was good.
In Revelation 2:18-27 we read about the church in Thyatira. They are a good church. They do good words, they love, they have faith, patient endurance… and they are growing and doing better as time goes on!
But they tolerate incorrect teaching. In the place of truth they allow what some call the “deep things of Satan” to be taught.
Friends, this scares me. Because I see us in this church. I see myself in this church.
Oh, God, let it not be so.
We cannot continue to tolerate this. We’re called to cast it out, to confront it, to not allow it to continue.
And I’m not talking about trolling through Facebook and confronting anyone who posts something different than what you believe. I don’t care what is posted on Facebook. I’ve yet to hear of a Facebook post changing someone’s worldview.
What I’m talking about the things being taught, in your church, that are not Biblical. I’m talking about making our denominations more important than Christ. I’m talking about softening or explaining away Scripture verses to make our faith easier to swallow. I’m talking about proclaiming something other than the gospel of Jesus Christ. Making our altars a place for political influence. Making our churches into social gatherings where everyone can come and chitchat and then go back to lives that are filled with idol worship, sexual immorality, and hidden sins.
And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.
We will give an account. So speak truth, dear ones. Only, only truth. Cling to it. Hold fast!
And[pullquote] even if your hands shake– let your words carry the weight of the gospel.[/pullquote]
Not in pride. Never in pride. In brokenness. Because the whole point of the gospel is that without it, I am nothing at all.
Join me over the next few weeks as I share Word Snacks from the book of Revelation! Sign up below to get new posts emailed directly to your inbox, or follow me on Facebook (just go here). As always, thank you for sharing posts with your friends!
This is so true. I see it happening more and more often and yes, it scares me. “Making our churches into social gatherings where everyone can come and chitchat and then go back to lives that are filled with idol worship, sexual immorality, and hidden sins.”
And you’re right: We can’t tolerate it. We must speak the Truth. Even if it hurts…
AMEN
Praise the Lord, yes!!