Monday, October 3, 2011

Tell it like it is!

Acts 13

 6 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. 9Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”
   Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

I really like people who tell it like it is. I'm not much of a politician. I don't like politicians and I can't stand political correctness. I'm sure that gets me in trouble sometimes. The Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie is one of those guys that tell it like it is. You can disagree with him, but he is going to let you know what he thinks. People like that up front honesty.

As Christians we need to make sure we call a sin, a sin. We need to make sure when we talk to unbelievers they are clear what the truth is.  There is only one path to God and it goes directly through Jesus. There is no detour. There is no alternative. The ONE GOD we serve is GOD. It's not good enough to be a "Good" person. It's not good enough to believe in God. We need to confess our sins, acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of GOD and died for our sins, and ask him to come into our heart. It is only by his Grace that we are saved.

We need to tell it like it is. We need to be open an honest with everyone. The salvation plan is simple. But, if we wait, if we beat around the bush, if we worry about offending the sinner, we may never get the chance. Eternal life might hang in the balance.  The Holy Spirit will give us the words. The Holy Spirit will give us the boldness we need.

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