WARNINGS ARE RARELY WELL RECEIVED
Pastor William Heinrich
When the Old Testament prophets warned the people they often were scorned and
even put in prison or killed. To warn is not a popular road and may well be a
persecuted one.
Paul, a New Testament prophet, tells young Pastor Titus that some must be
rebuked sharply that they may be sound in the faith. Today, as then, to do that
is to receive scorn. Being sound in the faith (true teaching of God’s Word) is
simply not as important as living and let live. People will say it’s none of his
business or he is a hater. Paul writes to the church at Colossae, telling them
to “preach Christ and warn every man in all wisdom that we may present every man
perfect in Christ Jesus.” To this end, he also labored.
In Ephesians 4 , we are told to speak the truth in love in order that we may not
be tossed to and fro by false teachings. However, I have found warning, be it by
love or not, is rarely received very well. Many today, in my profession, have
chosen to have a “positive” ministry. This allows them to put everything in a
positive way and everyone leaves lifted and satisfied. He receives no scorn or
persecution and those under his message wish to return next week. This is
especially successful in our time when so much is made of a low self image.
Messages that are sharp or filled with warning often bring guilt to the hearers
and scorn to the preachers. Yet, God’s Word is clear: the preacher must warn
even if the people scorn. There must first be guilt if there is to be repentance
or change. To label it a low self image or to blame the preacher may be but
another excuse not to change.
We can cling to things because we have been taught it is okay; but we must
examine all we believe by the one authority God has given us: His revelation of
the Bible.