It is very early in the political season and I’m sick if it already. We have seen one after another Republican presidential candidate rise and fall. I still haven’t seen the man or woman I really want to be the next president. I guess the reason I’m sick of it is I want everyone to say what they really believe so that I can decide who really believes what I believe to be the truth. Stop telling me what you think I want to hear. We are killing folks telling them what we think they want to hear.
Politics has gotten to be a mess and so has the church. We are so concerned about preaching what people want to hear; that we are not concerned enough about preaching the truth. The goal of politics is for us to have an opportunity to select those to lead us who will make the best decisions for our country. What good is there in finding someone who has the best chance of winning, if we won’t be any better off once that person is the winner.
We are so concerned about filling our pews that we forget the goal is to fill heaven. We aren’t any better off if our churches are filled with folks, if those people don’t know the truth and are still headed to hell.
Those who live in the world know that there is something wrong with their lives. They need to know that Jesus is the answer. To try to convince them that there isn’t anything wrong, isn’t just the wrong strategy; it’s a lie. And deep inside our spirits, when we are finally honest with ourselves, we know it’s a lie.
Jesus came to save; not to convince us we didn’t need saving.
Yesterday was the first day of my adventure in homeschooling. I spent a great first day with my grandson. He proved to be as bright as I thought he was. But I also knew he had a real problem with writing. He inherited it from me. In first grade I got straight As… and a F in writing. During the day yesterday, Nicky had plenty of chance to show how bright he was in lots of subjects. At the end of the day I had him write a report. It was bad. My inclination was to tell him it wasn’t that bad; but it was. Finally I built up the courage to tell him the truth; “This is bad.” And I listed all the problems with his report. But I also told him we can make it good. A look of relief came over his face as he admitted that he wasn’t a good writer. And we began the process of making him one.
Our country is headed off a cliff. We need someone honest enough to tell us the truth about that. The truth about our problems and the truth about the source of our solution. Individually most everyone we know has a problem. They are going to hell. They need to know that’s the truth; before we can do anything about it.
Be clear. Be honest. Be blessed.
Nick
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