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Saturday, September 03, 2005
2 Timothy 4: 4--8
It was going to be a difficult meeting. Not because everybody didn't have the same goal in mind. They did. They all wanted to have peace and harmony in the home.
The reason it was going to be a difficult meeting is because both the teen and the parents were, as called in Christian circles, "walking in the flesh." They were in sin...plain and simple. They were both dishonoring God with their behavior.
The teen was out of control with behavioral choices. Very unwise and blatantly againt what the Bible was very clear about.
The parents were responding very poorly, too. Sure, it was a rough situation, but the parents were equally going against what the Bible was very clear about.
Don't get me wrong. Nobody deep down wanted to be involved in this. Remember, I said their goals were all to have peace at home.
But the reason it was going to be a difficult meeting was I was going to have to point out those very clear directives. I'd rather have had something to make every body feel better. To tell the kid that they were plenty old enough to make whatever decisions they wanted regarding their behavior. To tell the parents that they were in the right and the kid deserved everything they got from them. Maybe there was a pill they both could take that would make everybody peaceful. Maybe there were books to read that would solve the issues. Maybe this was a very simple solution of just everybody sleeping 20 minutes longer.
I wish.
Nope, this wouldn't be a situation in which I would "tickle ears" and tell them what they wanted to hear. Not at all. This would be one in which I had to fulfill my ministry by giving a Biblical perspective.
Reminds me of 2 Timothy 4: 3--7 (from The Message),
"You're going to find that there will be times when people have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food--catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you--keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good. Keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant."
There is something in all of us that wants to hear only the good stuff. It can be difficult to hear some things about us that are negative. Maybe our ears are too big or our hair too dry or we're out of shape or...
...even worse: We're in sin. Something we're choosing to do that is hurting us.
Nobody likes it. And it can be dangerous when we ignore all those spiritual insights given by others and begin to surround ourselves with people who only support what we're doing. They say things like...
...well, you're in love, so it's okay.
...you're not getting drunk, just buzzed.
...God'll forgive you anyway, so do it.
...it's only homework, it's not like copying a test.
...how can it be bad if it feels okay?
...your parents/boss/teacher/coach won't ever find out...
...stuff like that.
Sometimes the most loving thing...the way you can fulfull your ministry and keep the Message alive...
...is to speak the truth in love.
...Scripture doesn't say anything about being in love, sexual immorality is sin.
...drinking alcohol if you're underage is sin.
...cheating is sin in all it's forms.
...your feelings can lie to you, Scripture never does.
...deception of authority is unwise.
So, the reality is that we all have to allow Scripture to be the authority, no matter how much it doesn't "tickle our ears." It demands a response of some type...
For today, what is the general response of people when confronted with the truths of Scripture? Why is it so difficult to hear the hard things? Why is it hard for people to lovingly confront each other? What are some other ways we can "fulfill our ministry and keep the Message alive?
Brent 9:16 AM
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