Who Will Stand?

2 Timothy 4:2

to preach God’s message. Do it willingly, even if it isn’t the popular thing to do. You must correct people and point out their sins. But also cheer them up, and when you instruct them, always be patient. CEV

Who will stand? Being popular is important to so many. Being well liked – being well thought of by others – being in the in crowd appeals to some. Some folks will go out of their way to be liked. Popularity isn’t all it’s cracked up to be for sure – but some strive after it anyway.

Some pastors will do almost anything it seems to be liked by their congregations too. I’ve known pastors who are people pleasers (many are it seems). I personally will do most anything to keep peace in the church – as far as it involves me and what I wear – how I work – etc. Where I draw the line – and I hope many pastors draw the line here – is with the truth of God’s Word. I will not dilute the Word of God. I will not water it down (for those who don’t know what dilute means – lol). I will not back away from preaching and teaching the truth of God’s Word.

Some pastors – IMHO – seem to be drawn toward political correctness. A social agenda seems to supersede the truth of God’s Word for some. I was reading some church publications recently online – and some of our churches and even some of our conferences seem more focused on social correctness rather than understanding the truth found in God’s Word (IMHO).

A young pastor – Timothy – was told by an older pastor/Apostle – Paul – to be willing to preach the Word of God – even if it meant being unpopular. Here is today’s passage in partial context from the CEV version of the Bible – 2 Timothy 4:1-5 – ¹ When Christ Jesus comes as king, he will be the judge of everyone, whether they are living or dead. So with God and Christ as witnesses, I command you ² to preach God’s message. Do it willingly, even if it isn’t the popular thing to do. You must correct people and point out their sins. But also cheer them up, and when you instruct them, always be patient. ³ The time is coming when people won’t listen to good teaching. Instead, they will look for teachers who will please them by telling them only what they are itching to hear. ⁴ They will turn from the truth and eagerly listen to senseless stories. 5 But you must stay calm and be willing to suffer. You must work hard to tell the good news and to do your job well.  CEV

The time is coming when people won’t listen to good teaching. Instead, they will look for teachers who will please them by telling them only what they are itching to hear. This might just be a very good definition for what is happening in the church in general – people are striving after social correctness rather than Scriptural holiness. Going after what society is teaching rather than what the Bible teaches. If that is what it takes to be popular – count me out. So with God and Christ as witnesses, I command you to preach God’s message. Do it willingly, even if it isn’t the popular thing to do. You must correct people and point out their sins. But also cheer them up, and when you instruct them, always be patient.

Each person – each pastor – has to examine their own heart and do what the Holy Spirit directs them. As for me – I will side with the truth of the Scriptures at all times – even if it means persecution and being unpopular. I truly believe that Bible believing Christian pastors – lay people – and their churches in the USA (not Egypt or Iraq) will soon be under heavy persecution for standing for the truth of God’s Word. Who will stand?

Some will say they are being faithful to the Scriptures by pressing for social norms. I’m just not convinced that you can side with social norms and at the same time side with God’s will.  Romans 12:2 – Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. In order to know God’s will – we need to NOT conform any longer to the patterns of the world. We need to seek God’s will rather than humanities’ will. Just saying! Who will stand?

Just something for us to think about today as we go on our way.

P.S. – Each day in 2019 – as we approach February 23rd and the Special General Conference of the UMC – spend 5 minutes praying for the Holy Spirit to touch the hearts of the delegates. Thanks.