Wednesday, March 13, 2013

"AM I BECOME YOUR ENEMY BY TELLING YOU THE TRUTH?" (Gal. 4:16)


"AM I BECOME YOUR ENEMY BY TELLING YOU THE TRUTH?"
(Gal. 4:16)
For me, the decision to become a preacher was not an easy one.  I did receive much encouragement from Christian friends and family, and that was very helpful. But, one of the more pressing mental barriers that I had to overcome was that I had a complex.  I felt that the sins or actions of my past would hinder the Message of Christ.  Often I may refer to my younger years in a way that sounds regretful.  And, mind you, I did make mistakes.  But for the record, I would like to do something that I have yet to do since I made the choice to be a full time servant of God. I would like to clear the air as it pertains to “the sins of my youth”, and state the following: I was a decent kid, respected my parents, and was a responsible young person.  
For years now, many (mostly high school friends, my apologies guys) have derided me for “the way I used to be”.  It has become more prevalent since becoming a preacher and ‘speaking the truth in love’ if you will.  It seems the patterned response for many when I choose to lovingly exercise 2nd Timothy 4:2 is to say, “how dare you, don’t judge me! Don’t you remember how you once were!?”   Well friends, let me tell you how I ‘once was’:
I obeyed the gospel plan of salvation at age 12, due to the evangelistic efforts of neighbors and people who love me.  I was very active in my youth group, and those people are still my friends today.  I have been gainfully and productively employed in a full time job (many times 2, and sometimes 3) since the age of 15.  I bought and paid for in full my own car at age 16 with money I worked for.  I also paid for my own gas and insurance.  I had a successful secular career in retail sales and management for 23 years, and am convinced that it prepared me well for my current service to God.  I made good grades in school.  I have always tried to be a leader.  I was taught good things by my parents and never have disrespected them in any way.  I treat my wife in all ways as I should in light of Scripture, and constantly lift her up and encourage her.  I have been a good father to my children, including my oldest, who has continually forsaken my instruction for the ways of this world.  I have endured a failed marriage that included unfaithfulness, and marital misconduct resulting in a scriptural divorce (Matthew 19:9). I have never been fired, written up, or even categorized as an unruly employee. As a matter of fact, I have received multiple awards for my performance and work ethic.  People have generally loved working with me.   I am a team player and all- around friendly and funny guy.  And, last but certainly not least, I encourage young people to live for God and be able to defend their faith!
  Contrary to what I and some may say, I wasn’t the heathen I sometimes tell myself I was.  And the things that I did do wrong I can assure anyone who is interested, I have been forgiven and it has been forgotten by God (Hebrews 8:12).  I wish others could forget also. I could go on, but I perceive that my point has been made.  I know how this all sounds, but I say all of the above to say this:
The apostle Paul knew what it was like to have people detest and despise him. Five times Paul received thirty-nine stripes from the Jews, three times he was beaten with rods, and once he was stoned and left for dead (II Cor. 11:24-25; Acts 14:19). All these things happened to this faithful servant of the Lord because he loved the souls of men, as do I. That’s right. Paul loved folks with a fervent, genuine and Biblical love, and I do too. He knew that people would lose their souls if they lived and died in sin, and I know that too.
The best thing the devil has going today is the attitude that desires to please folks instead of save folks. Godly standards are lowered to lure and draw folks in, all in the name of love. The apostle Paul described quite well the attitude of most toward truth in saying, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (II Tim. 4:3-4). Nonetheless, young Timothy was told to “preach the word” -- the Truth (II Tim. 4:2).  That is also my charge!
The words of Paul again ring loud and clear, “For do I now persuade men, or God?  Or do I seek to please men? For, if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10). Paul proclaimed the one and only Gospel regardless of who it offended, and I do too. Both he and John the Baptizer would rather go to Heaven than be “politically correct”, and I feel the same way.
I choose not to be politically correct, but to teach, admonish, exhort and rebuke.  I always pray for balance, and that I keep an attitude of love.  I fail at this at times.  But friends, it is a mistake to look upon my past, whatever it may be, as an influence on whether or not sound Biblical Truth should be obeyed.  Of course this is all said in Love, with a kind and gentle heart.

preachertombowling@gmail.com