“And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.” (2 Cor. 12:15) “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Gal. 4:16)
Such is the life of the man of God who has been called to speak the truth, even when it is done, as it always should be, in love, they are rejected. In this day of the apostacy, truth speakers are rare, most born-again believers are concerned mainly with their own walk with Christ and spend little to no time searching for the lost, those we are sent to reach. It’s easier that way, the path is less wrought with danger when you are the only one on it.
Those who speak for the Lord lose their places of employment, they are ostracized from family, friends and coworkers, they are considered far too adamant, far too convicted even within most Evangelical churches these days. They are not as the rest of the world, much less the congregation, a man on fire, when he gets too close to you, will either convict you or hurt you, there are no other options.
Those preach Christ crucified, that live for the glory of God, that seek nothing from this world or anyone in it do not care what you or anyone else in the world thinks of them, they are here to serve the Lord, and they know it is with His words that they are sent. The church of the world, for in all honesty that is what the majority of Evangelical churches have become these days, teach a never offending theology, not one of reproof and correction, they speak in love, but with no firm convictions, they would rather sit in silence than be noticed. I know of no visible excuse for this phenomenon other than fear, personal fear from those in the world. We are not speaking of going into the lion’s den here, but just the thought of the possibility of it, that is what frightens them.
It is getting more and more difficult to differentiate between the lost and the saved, for if you speak to many who profess Him as Lord, the last thing on their mind seems to be Christ. The heart they profess to have for the lost seems to only expose itself when the plate passes by them in the pew, and only modestly at best then. “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matt. 7:14) This verse comes to my mind often, and that word “few” concerns me.
I cannot comprehend the one who is truly saved not speaking of Christ to others, those who claim Him as Lord seem to be more interested in the events of the day, the woes and concerns of the world, and even the continuation of their life for as long as possible. How can one claim a desire to be with the Lord, and still strive to remain here on earth for as long as possible, unless they can say with Paul, “Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.” (Phil. 1:24)
Those that live for Christ seek the lost, they encourage the brethren, they look for every opportunity to reach all they can, no matter who they are set in front of. Those that desire to improve their walk with the Lord, to become more Christlike without reaching out to others are self-serving, not servants of the Lord. I liken them to those who spend their days praying and seeking for signs of the rapture, for most of those do so only for selfish reasons, not to be with the Lord. They fear trials and tribulations just as much as many fear speaking to their neighbor about the One they call Savior, they fear speaking the truth because it might offend someone.
I ask you, is this verse befitting of you? “But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” (Heb. 11:16) Or does this verse speak of your supposed walk with Him? “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 10:33) God knows your heart, are you sure you do?
