Time For Truth

"It is not my job to be rude in what I say. It is my job to be truthful in what I say." - Chuck Swindoll

We've discussed truth many times over the past couple of years on this site. Yet, when I heard this broadcast this morning from Chuck, on a series from Paul's second letter to Timothy, this statement resonated. Furthermore, he prefaced it in the preceding minutes, which how church has changed... perhaps not so much for the best.

Is it possibly we've gone to the other extreme; of being too nice? Of being too friendly? Of services that leave us feeling good emotionally, but lackluster spiritually? Swindoll points out that it's not the job of any pastor to coddle or comfort their congregation. It's is the proclamation of the Gospel.

I love his perspective on this. We don't go to the doctor for a good report. We don't go to the clinic for the smiles. We don't go to the ER to confirm that nothing is wrong. We step in to the places for an accurate and honest assessment of the problem in our lives with a correct and complete remedy. We do not need nor desire their beating around the bush, nor being cause with circumstance. We need them to speak the truth!

Then we step in to church... and of late, seemingly prefer they didn't. Or if they did, at least speak in politically correct terms. Funny. Somehow even "politically correct" doesn't automatically include the truth. Yet we call it correct, when at the very least, it is often quite inaccurate.

How that the Spirit of God bring conviction, if the man or woman of God does not preach with conviction?

The Gospel however, is truth. And it's author, God, is direct. Not rude, but truthful. As he needs his mouthpiece within church leadership to be and to speak.

Pray, this #associatePastorTuesday, that in these ever-present days and times of excuses and reasons and auxiliary issues and concerns, however legitimate they may be, that pastors would people who seek, know, understand and speak words of truth. May they not get caught up in the trends and fads within ministry that detract and diminish the power of Scripture and the work of the Holy Spirit; but declare the reality of the plight and circumstance of humanity and the evil of this dark age. Pray church leadership would continue to be people of the Word and of prayer; sensitive to the move and direction of the hand and voice of God rather than the voices of a broken humanity and a hurting society.

For indeed, these are troubling times.
And lasting comfort is not found in the temporary words of man,
But in the everlasting truths of God's Word
May we seek no other solution to life's woes and societies ills
Except the salvation of our hearts
Through the power of Jesus Christ.
For the glory of God.

- PNC