Jim Miller
Gray, Maine
It is not until you are willing to take a stand for God and follow His whole counsel that you will truly understand what being a Christian is all about. Christians for the most part these days enjoy sitting in pews and going through the motions and having others make them feel good about themselves. For many years now I have watched the deterioration of Gods plan for man grow by leaps and bounds. People are being lulled into all kinds of false doctrines and beliefs and teachings.
We have been warned over two thousand years ago that there would come a time when men would turn unto fables rather than to Gods word. (2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2Ti 4:3 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; 2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.)
Just as the Jews of old, man is continually drifting away from the truth and Gods ways. Those who take a stand and want to get back to the straight gate and narrow path are now being shunned because they won't preach or teach only the love portion of the word.
Is God a loving God? You bet he is, look how long he has suffered with man. I firmly believe that if our God was not so loving and caring this world would have ended long ago. However, when a failure to preach the whole counsel of God becomes prevalent and only the love side is preached and no solid meat from the word is taught those in the pew become apathetic and lulled into a position that says we do not make waves. Making waves is what being a Christian is all about. How are people supposed to know they are sinners unless they are taught. We need to be more like Paul when he said in (Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.) He than went on to give warning of the grievous wolves that would enter in and devour the flock.
Is there a need to preach the love of Christ to the assembly? Of course there is from time to time we all need to be reminded of this fact. But, do we not also need to hear and apply the rest of the word too? Isn't there a reason we are told to put on the whole armor of God? (Eph_6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph_6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand). Isn't there a reason for Timothy to be told by Paul in (2Ti 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.)
Today it seems if the preacher gets up behind the pulpit and preaches against sin and teaches its true consequences he is then labeled a boat rocker and must be informed that his stance on the word must be changed. Friends if you are sitting in your assembly and the message from the pulpit doesn't convict you once in a while what are you learning? When Peter preached the first sermon what happened to those listening? (Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?) Did Peter preach only how much Christ loved them? No he taught the truth they had crucified the Savior They had killed and innocent man. Peter taught they were all sinners.
Friends, with all the false teaching out there today and with all the apathy so prevalent among us I ask you to encourage your preachers and teachers to stand firm on the word and tell them you want to hear all the counsel of God not just have your ears tickled. For the most part those in our assemblies are already saved and they need to be edified not retaught the plan of salvation every week and not just how much God loves them. They need to hear what they must do to live right and how they can please God. Is love important? Beyond a doubt yes! is it the only thing necessary? NO!
