Telling the Truth about Sin
This morning we had 14 men at 5 AM as we continued our study of Luke in chapter 3. We were discussing why John, the Baptist, confronted Herod about his adultery and other sins. Was he trying to be critical? Was he trying to pick a fight? I don't think so.
John was the last of the Old Testament prophets, and he was following their lead in being very confrontational about the sins of God's people. Also, he was calling people to repentance. It would have been wrong to call some to repentance but not others. After all, no one is above God's law. However, the main reason John pointed out the sins of Herod was to prepare him to receive Christ as Savior and Lord, too. He had to show the sin, before he would know he needed salvation. John could not compromise with the sin of Herod, if he wanted any credibility with the people, so he told the truth about sin. For his honesty he was put in prison by Herod.
Are we prepared to be put into prison for telling the truth about sin? I hope so. We are not called to judge the motives of people or to condemn them in a critical way. However, when we see sin, we are to act as the salt and the light, so we have to point out the sin and warn people against it. (Ezekiel 3:17-21) I pray that we are ready to stand up for the truth of God even if it means being thrown into prison or worse. It is the least we can do for the Lord.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Nehemiah 4-6 and Acts 2:22-47.
John was the last of the Old Testament prophets, and he was following their lead in being very confrontational about the sins of God's people. Also, he was calling people to repentance. It would have been wrong to call some to repentance but not others. After all, no one is above God's law. However, the main reason John pointed out the sins of Herod was to prepare him to receive Christ as Savior and Lord, too. He had to show the sin, before he would know he needed salvation. John could not compromise with the sin of Herod, if he wanted any credibility with the people, so he told the truth about sin. For his honesty he was put in prison by Herod.
Are we prepared to be put into prison for telling the truth about sin? I hope so. We are not called to judge the motives of people or to condemn them in a critical way. However, when we see sin, we are to act as the salt and the light, so we have to point out the sin and warn people against it. (Ezekiel 3:17-21) I pray that we are ready to stand up for the truth of God even if it means being thrown into prison or worse. It is the least we can do for the Lord.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Nehemiah 4-6 and Acts 2:22-47.