“But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them.”
Our society has stopped teaching toughness. We lower requirements rather than let children learn from failure. Instead they learn about failure later in life when the consequences are harsher.
It is important to learn how to struggle. Valleys are where things grow…There are very few wise people who have not walked through trials. By removing difficulties, we have created a generation of shallow individuals.
That is not God’s way – God tells Jeremiah to put on his work boots... Israel has failed and is facing judgement and Jeremiah has been given the difficult job of telling them. It will not be pleasant nor popular…but look closely at what God says:
“Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them”.
In other words, “they won’t like what you say – but say it anyway. Worry about my response to your words - not theirs.”
That type of coaching would get you kicked out of little league today…and that is the problem. God requires a tenacity for truth, not comfortable compromises.
This self-focused philosophy has creeped into the church causing us to struggle when we are asked to suffer….. we want admiration but God wants obedience.
On Sunday we are as likely to question the pastors style, as be convicted by what he says…and if he makes us uncomfortable, society has taught us that he should lower the bar so we will feel better about ourselves.
God did not save us just to make us happy – He saved us to make us Holy - We have been recruited as Soldiers. Make no mistake, when you speak truth some people will leave your church, turn off your blog…some may even stop being your friend…but God says to tell the truth anyway, and understand that sometimes people are offended by truth even when spoken in love.
We are warriors and sometimes warriors get hurt – adjust your expectations – focus on the goal - put on your gear and run to the battle… you have work to do.
“Jesus' life was a storm of controversy …To avoid controversy is to avoid Christ. We can have peace, but it is a servile and carnal peace where truth is slain in the streets.” - R. C. Sproul
Our society has stopped teaching toughness. We lower requirements rather than let children learn from failure. Instead they learn about failure later in life when the consequences are harsher.
It is important to learn how to struggle. Valleys are where things grow…There are very few wise people who have not walked through trials. By removing difficulties, we have created a generation of shallow individuals.
That is not God’s way – God tells Jeremiah to put on his work boots... Israel has failed and is facing judgement and Jeremiah has been given the difficult job of telling them. It will not be pleasant nor popular…but look closely at what God says:
“Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them”.
In other words, “they won’t like what you say – but say it anyway. Worry about my response to your words - not theirs.”
That type of coaching would get you kicked out of little league today…and that is the problem. God requires a tenacity for truth, not comfortable compromises.
This self-focused philosophy has creeped into the church causing us to struggle when we are asked to suffer….. we want admiration but God wants obedience.
On Sunday we are as likely to question the pastors style, as be convicted by what he says…and if he makes us uncomfortable, society has taught us that he should lower the bar so we will feel better about ourselves.
God did not save us just to make us happy – He saved us to make us Holy - We have been recruited as Soldiers. Make no mistake, when you speak truth some people will leave your church, turn off your blog…some may even stop being your friend…but God says to tell the truth anyway, and understand that sometimes people are offended by truth even when spoken in love.
We are warriors and sometimes warriors get hurt – adjust your expectations – focus on the goal - put on your gear and run to the battle… you have work to do.
“Jesus' life was a storm of controversy …To avoid controversy is to avoid Christ. We can have peace, but it is a servile and carnal peace where truth is slain in the streets.” - R. C. Sproul
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