Truth: Shocking!
Ponder: Truth can be shocking, but we are obligated to proclaim it.
Scripture: “. . . you should turn from these useless things to the living God . . .” (Acts 14:15 NKJV).
Truth really can be shocking. You may not always appreciate hearing it. Then again, it may be a great relief to learn the truth at last.
At Lystra, Paul healed a man crippled since birth. Seeing this, the Lystrans concluded that Paul and Barnabas were gods and decided to sacrifice to them (Acts 14:6-18). Talk about preacher-itis!
Does that seem weird? Consider their background. The Lystrans sincerely believed in many gods, having known nothing but idolatry all their lives. When Paul told the man who had never taken a step in his life to “stand up straight on your feet,” he leaped up and walked! How could they explain it except that Paul must be a god? Since Paul was the leading speaker, they figured he was Hermes, the spokesman for the Greek gods. Barnabas, they presumed, was Zeus, the chief over all the gods.
Imagine their surprise when Paul and Barnabas exclaimed that they were only “men with the same nature as you” (v. 15). They challenged the Lystrans to turn from useless, dead, material gods to the one true God Who lives, Who created all things, and Who is active in His world. What a shock! How do you suppose the priest of Zeus (v. 13) liked it when Paul said his god was useless?
Some took the message to heart, for we read of disciples in Lystra (v. 20). But others, within a short time, went from being ready to sacrifice to Paul as a god, to taking him outside the city and stoning him! (v. 19).
Truth is still shocking. Like the Lystrans, people today believe bizarre things, having been taught such ideas all their lives. We have not only the right, but the responsibility, to plead with them to turn from falsehood to truth, from darkness to light. Some will accept the good news with gratitude and relief. Others may react with varying degrees of hostility. We cannot control how people respond. We can and must make certain they hear the truth.
Song: “Ring It Out!”
Prayer: Father in heaven, we thank You that someone cared enough to teach us the truth. Please help us to teach others boldly, plainly, and kindly. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Joe Slater (Justin, TX)