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Voice of Stern Rebuke
67
live with his brother’s wife? The forerunner of Christ lost his life by
his plain speaking.
This is how those who should be guardians of God’s law have
argued, till expediency has taken the place of faithfulness and sin is
allowed to go unrebuked. When will the voice of faithful rebuke be
heard once more in the church?
“You are the man!”
2 Samuel 12:7
. Words as plain as these that
Nathan spoke to David are seldom heard in pulpits today, seldom
seen in the public press. The Lord’s messengers should not complain
that their efforts are fruitless until they repent of their desire to please
others, which leads them to suppress truth.
It is not from love for their neighbor that ministers smooth down
the message entrusted to them, but because they are self-indulgent
and ease-loving. True love seeks first the honor of God and the
salvation of souls. Those who have this love will not evade the truth
to save themselves from the unpleasant results of plain speaking.
When souls are in peril, God’s ministers will speak the word given
them, refusing to excuse evil.
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If only every minister would show the courage that Elijah
showed! Ministers are to “convince, rebuke, and encourage, with
the utmost patience in teaching.”
2 Timothy 4:2
, NRSV. In Christ’s
name they are to encourage the obedient and warn the disobedient.
Worldly considerations are to have no weight with them. They are
to go forward in faith. They are not to speak their own words, but
their message is to be, “Thus says the Lord.” God calls for people
like Elijah, Nathan, and John the Baptist, people who will bear His
message regardless of consequences, people who will speak the truth
though it requires the sacrifice of all they have.
God calls for men and women who will do faithful battle against
wrong, warring against spiritual wickedness in high places. To such
He will speak the words,“Well done, good and faithful servant. ...
Enter into the joy of your Lord.”
Matthew 25:23
.
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