"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
