Jesus Said “Mean Things.”
This morning, I finished reading chapter 11 of John Piper’s book, “Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ.” The chapter reminded me of how severe Jesus’ words could be and how they captured the seriousness of sin and the importance of repentance and faith. It also brought to mind the importance of having hard talks with people, especially those we love and those placed in our lives by the Lord.
Like a physician who must be honest in delivering a hard diagnosis to a dying patient who refuses to acknowledge their own condition, we too need to be brave and courageous in telling people the truth they need to hear in order to be saved. Jesus did not shy away from hard talks or hold back the truths that may have been perceived as harsh or unloving. As followers of Christ, we must make it our goal to understand and communicate the fullness of who Jesus is, even his tough and severe side, even if it means offending peoples sensibilities.
Although Jesus’ words were often offensive to the culture surrounding him and remain controversial in today’s society, they are crucial for addressing the reality of sin and death. As painful and horrific as the calamities of this world may be, they do not compare to the greatest tragedy of all, which is an eternity in hell.
Failing to escape an eternity in hell through faith and repentance is a horror beyond measure. Therefore, it is necessary to have difficult, and at times, lovingly offensive conversations with those whom we care about to address sin and death. It is rare for such discussions to be comfortable, but they are essential for the spiritual well-being of ourselves and others.
Just as a physician who withholds a difficult diagnosis from a patient in order to spare their feelings is not truly fulfilling their role, a person who avoids hard conversations about sin and salvation is not showing love to anyone but themselves. Instead, we must be willing to have honest and uncomfortable discussions with others, especially when it comes to matters of eternal consequence.
While it may be tempting to avoid topics that are uncomfortable or may offend others, doing so ultimately does more harm than good. By avoiding these discussions, we are robbing others of the chance to hear the truth and find salvation.
In contrast, having these difficult conversations, though uncomfortable, is a true act of love. By speaking honestly and openly about sin and salvation, we give others the opportunity to hear the message of Christ and turn towards a path of salvation.
In conclusion, we must be willing to have hard conversations about sin and salvation, even if it means stepping outside of our comfort zone or risking offending others. By doing so, we show love and compassion towards others and help guide them towards a life of eternal salvation.
In Him, with love
mike
