As parents, my wife and I have come to understand that my children won’t always understand why we make the decisions that we do.  For example, Cayden and Conner don’t understand why they can’t skip the meat and vegetables on their dinner plate and go straight to the bowl of ice cream.  They can’t seem to grasp why it’s so important to clean the house after it’s been mercilessly littered with toys.  We can’t seem to help them see the wisdom in getting plenty of rest so that the next day is not hindered by exhaustion.  I’m sure every parent can understand this never-ending battle.

It’s not possible for anyone on this earth to love those two kids more than Christy and myself.  In light of this fact, I must confess that it’s extremely hard to say no at times.  There are certain looks and certain words they can say to melt your heart.  Nevertheless, their best interest is most important.  God did not call us, as parents, to be their friend.  He commissioned us to raise them in a way that’s pleasing to Him so that one day they will contribute to society through excellence.

Unfortunately, the American church has become eerily similar to the American child.  As believers, we have come to expect the kingdom of God to cater to our every whim and desire.  Like a toddler who sees a forbidden cookie, we launch ourselves into full-blown temper tantrums anytime the truth of God’s Word prevents us from having something we want or having something go the way that we want.  What a sad condition many churches and believers are in!

When local churches, pastors and leaders dare to take a stand for righteousness and true holiness, more often than not, chaos will ensue.  Most people have come to believe that no one has the right to say anything about how they live their lives or how they make their decisions.  But the Word of God proves otherwise.

For example, in John 2, the Bible speaks of Jesus cleaning up the temple.  John 2:13-16 says, “And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,and found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:and when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; and said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.  And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.”  In Luke 16, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees hypocrisy and scolded them for justifying themselves in the eyes of God.  In Matthew 19, Jesus exposed the heart of the rich young ruler who cared more about his money than serving God.  John rebuked Herod for his incestuous affair and the Apostle Paul dealt with many sinful situations in the church at Corinth.

The distinction between standing up for righteousness and attempting to serve as heaven’s high sheriff must be clear.  God has not commissioned us to scour the lives of other believers and seek to magnify every mistake and expose every personal sin.  However, we should never allow political correctness or our consideration for other’s feelings to silence the voice of God’s Word as we seek to share the Gospel with the world.  In today’s society, it’s not only encouraged but expected for believers to keep their mouth shut when it comes to issues.  This is not the life that Jesus led and it’s not the life He expects us to lead.

Romans 10:14-15 says, “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”  As believers, we must understand that, while the truth will initially make some miserable, it will ultimately set them free.  Richard Baxter said it best…”If their houses were on fire, thou wouldst run and help them; and wilt thou not help them when their souls are almost at the fire of hell?”

I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve made many mistakes in my life.  I am thankful that God has surrounded me with loving family, friends and believers who have supported me through those mistakes.  However, I’m also thankful that those same individuals did not support the mistakes.  I’ve been extremely fortunate in my life to have people who are not afraid to help me when I might be traveling down a wrong road.  We must not ever think that God has employed us as harsh, judgmental critics of each other.  But we must also remember to help each other as we move from day to day, knowing that God has a grand design for our lives.  Only when we walk in truth, will we ever be able to walk in freedom.

We’ve all made mistakes and God sees us through eyes of mercy.  But we must never take advantage of that mercy and forget that God expects us to live lives of holiness.  We must return to the basics of our faith and fulfill our destiny as kingdom people.  There will be times when we feel as if God is being a little too harsh on us.  But, like my children, we will one day see that the vegetables kept us healthy, the house was much more enjoyable when it was clean and we’re only here because we weren’t allowed to play in the street.

Pastor Jeremy