When Truth is Inconvenient and Offending

The prophets were some of the greatest men who ever lived.  Many were persecuted, and some were killed.  They were men of God who were raised up by God to deliver His message at a crucial time in history.  By the politically correct standards of today, the message of the prophets would be considered hate speech.  However, the apostle Peter said of the Old Testament prophets: “For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). The prophets were men who were chosen by God. The Holy Spirit inspired them. They served as God’s messengers to His people in their day. They also were allowed to foretell things which would happen in the future.  They were men who told the truth. 

There are many within and without the church who consider the truth as hate speech.  The message of the Old Testament prophets experienced the hatred of those who did not want the truth.  It was not the intent of the prophets to hurt the people only to get them to turn from their evil ways.  Telling the truth and warning those in danger is not hate but rather love. When the truth is spoken, it is for the protection of the hearer not to their destruction.  There is no place within the scriptures that command us to give our allegiance to a criminal government.  We are to uphold the message of Truth regardless of who is in power. 

At present, the Body of Christ stands at a crossroad.  In our present society, there has been a major shift in the worldview and Christianity.  We are living in an era where the world is turned upside down.  For over 1500 years Christian truth has been taken for granted.  Today, however, Christians can no longer depend on the present culture to back up the teachings of Christianity.  After centuries of a privileged status Christians have become “Christ-less” in their actions.   

This move towards a more “loving” direction has weakened the message of salvation.  When Christians are afraid to confront evil because it might offend the evil-doer, then the message of salvation is no longer a life changing message.  In looking at the life of Christ, he spoke the truth about the scribes and Pharisees when he called them hypocrites, children of the devil and the blind leaders of the blind.  This language was given in love as a warning of what would happen if they did not turn from their wicked ways.   

Today, Christians are more enlightened than Christ.  His message was filled with hate speech, bigotry, and was unloving.  In the world of the political correct un-offending love is the message of the Church today, if it offends it is not a message of love.  Even though Christ gave us the command to love our enemies he did not command us to support their evil ways and condone their actions which are sinful.   Is it not love when we warn someone of the impending doom is coming their way if they continue down a path of evil?  Is it not love when we speak the truth so that decisions can be made that will alter the course of a destructive life?  Is it not love to speak the truth? 

There is hunger in the world for lives which live in the power of Jesus Christ.  There is a hunger for authentic Christianity.  The Old Testament prophets did not hate the people they hated their actions and life –style. 

It is time for the Church to return to the ways of Truth and Life.  It is time to cast aside the ways which have separated us from God and to allow the message of Truth to become once again the life-changing message it has been since the time of Christ. There is a desperate need to change quickly to seek a transformation that results in a total surrender to Christ. 

There was a time when leaders within our government held a higher moral standard than they do today.  Several years ago, the American people would never have believed that the “godless communist” country of Russia would have a higher moral standard than “Christian America.”  Who would have thought the anti-gay legislation of Russian would create tension between Russia and the United States?  Our president addressed this law during a press conference when he said, “Nobody is more offended than me by some of the anti-gay and lesbian legislation that you’ve seen in Russia.”   

What this law does is ban the spreading of "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations" to minors and sets heavy fines for violations.  One Russian lawmaker said, "Traditional sexual relations are relations between a man and a woman, which are a condition for the preservation and development of the multi-ethnic Russian people.”  Is this truth so hateful?

While our American president has fought against Christianity in America, Putin, who has embraced the Russian Orthodox Church as a moral authority and harnessed its influence as a source of political support, has championed socially conservative values.   

Another law that was passed by the “godless communist” in Russia made the insulting of religious feelings a crime punishable by up to three years in prison.  How can this be?  A country that was so opposite from America now has a higher moral standard than the United States.  Is it because they have accepted the truth over being politically correct? 

It is time to dispense with the lies and tell the truth.  We live in a society that lives on lies because no one wants to hear the truth---we accept the lies and deny the truth. 

Americans are the most lied-to people on Earth.  We are so clueless about what is going on in the world, in particular, the evils committed by the United States Government using our taxes and children behind our backs. Our government has been destroying nations for decades. The U.S. government has destroyed the lives of innocent people to further the greed and power of the evil leaders in our Nation.  We have continued to vote back into office those who have committed the same sins the prophets declared would be met with judgment.  The concern of every American should be when will the judgment of God fall upon us?    

The Constitution does not authorize the government to lie to “We The People.” The tenth amendment bars the government from presuming that right. When the government lies, it, therefore, acts unconstitutionally and illegally. A government that lies to the people breaks faith with the people and violates the contract between the government and the people under which the people consent to be governed. A government that lies to the people de-legitimizes itself. A government that lies to the people ceases to be the lawful government of this land.  But what is far worse than a lying government is the Church that supports the lies by remaining silent and allowing evil to spread because we are fearful of offending.   

The Church has lost its first love and has forsaken the Truth.  Some misinformed Christians believe that we are not to be critical of the evil doers.  However, we are given an example by the same Apostle Paul that told us to submit to those who are in leadership.  In his letter to the church at Thessalonica Paul says, “ You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results.  We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God, we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.  For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.  On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.  You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority.” 

Paul states speaking the truth resulted in him being treated outrageously.  He goes on to identify the group who was creating him problems.  “You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.”  If Paul were speaking today, he would be accused of hate speech toward the Jews.  Did he hate them?  No.  In fact, Paul said, “Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.” Rom 10:1   He was showing them love by telling them the truth. 

It is time to get back to speaking the truth.  If we want to preach a message of “love” then it must be based on the Truth When we enter into a personal relationship with the living Christ, is but the beginning of a journey. Jesus said that if we obeyed him, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32). You will find that as God transforms you from within, then your understanding of truth will grow. Character and spiritual understanding are inextricably linked in the Bible. John says, "When we love others, we know that we belong to the truth, and we feel at ease in the presence of God" (1 John 3:19).