We MUST Hold Onto Truth!

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

As the partisan impeachment fiasco continues – more of my colleagues are weighing in with their thoughts. Everyone is entitled to their opinion for sure. It seems to me that those who line up on the left theologically are lining up on the left ideologically and politically. The same can be said about those who line up on the right theologically – as they also tend to line up on the right ideologically and politically. The United Methodist Church’s map almost perfectly matches the red and blue map of the political scene.

I mentioned Sunday that I would love to be able to preach the warm and fuzzy theology that some on the left preach. I would love to say that everyone goes to heaven or that there is no place some call hell or to say that there are other ways to heaven than Jesus. But I cannot – because it would be heretical to do so.

Some pastors will do almost anything it seems to be liked by their congregations. 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.

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).

Discussions On Social Media Can Be Destructive

Matthew 7:1

Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

Of late – it seems to me – some people have allowed their emotions to inform their political views. Social Media has a lot to do with this because things that might have only been discussed in the home or with close friends can be discussed in the public arena. I’ve gotten caught up in it as well from time to time and once again find myself retreating from Social Media – because I do not want to cause division in the church or among my friends. Discussions on Social Media can be destructive and divisive. I tend to be more conservative than many of my local colleagues and even some of my friends. As tolerant as we might think we are – we seem to have trouble discussing things and being hospitable to those who have a different view.

In the last few weeks – even months – even years – our immigration policy has been debated ad nauseam – it seems – on Social Media. Some colleagues and friends seem to be in favor of open borders – some seem to be in favor of stricter border control. Some want to call folks who are in our country illegally – undocumented – others would simply say they are criminals who are here illegally and should be arrested and returned to their homelands. Some say we should enforce our laws – some say the laws are bad and should be ignored. Some say we should improve or correct the current laws – others say the laws are good – we simply need to enforce them.

Gods of Gold

Exodus 32:31

So Moses went back to the Lord and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold.”

Jesus said the greatest commandment was – Mark 12:30 – Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.  But do we?  I mean – do we love God with everything we have and everything we are?  If we were honest – as much as we might like to love God with our all – we tend to love other things more than God at times.

Whenever we sin we have – for at least that moment – loved something more than we love God.  What is it that we love?  We love self-pleasure.  We look out for number one far too often.  We love ourselves far more than we should for sure.

Who Am I?

Exodus 3:11

But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”  NIV84

Have you ever wondered – who am I?  It was not uncommon in the 60’s and 70’s for young people to face confusion about who they were – what with the Vietnam war – peace rallies and then the aftermath of that war and decade.  Maybe every generation faces this question – who am I?  During the 60’s and 70’s a number of people I knew went out to find themselves.  For many this meant moving away from home – maybe going to California or Canada or somewhere where the rules of their present life didn’t apply.  Some went off to college and through this journey tried to find themselves.  For some it meant experimenting with life and at times drugs.  Communes were not uncommon – where people tried to live without constraints – trying to find themselves.

Today we can simply click an app and know exactly where we are at any given time (that was meant to be a funny!).  Where are you in your life’s journey?  If you asked the question who am I what would your answer be at this given moment?