Luke 6:26 (ESV) — “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for
so their fathers did to the false prophets.
NOTE: In context, I
don't believe that Jesus is saying that our witness needs to be so "in
your face" as to drive people away from you. If so, then Paul's teaching
would be in conflict with Jesus. I think the point here is that if our teaching
is so vanilla, as to please everyone, then we are not preaching the truth.
People liked the false prophets because they told them what they wanted to
hear. If we are a teacher, we need to express truth clearly, although as Peter
says, "gently and respectfully." We mustn't shy away from the hard
teachings of scripture on sexual mores, immorality, and sexual identity in
light of creation. This is especially true in regards to believers. In regard
to the world, we must share the gospel, but we cannot force our opinion or
bible truth upon the unbeliever. If they ask, we should not shrink back, but
the non-Christian is not required to obey the God's word. He or she can choose
what to believe. It does not make it true or not true, but God gives them that
choice, to accept or reject, with the consequences of unbelief.
PRAYER: Father, it
is hard to live in this world. Satan has a strangle-hold on culture, and
Christians are losing the battle. We must pray, but we cannot change men's
hearts with laws, only the Holy Spirit can do that. Give me wisdom in my
response to the world and its culture, especially in the workplace.
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