Preach The Word

When he sent out the disciples, Jesus gave specific instructions as to what they were to speak.  They were not to worry about how people would receive the message, or attempt to make it more appealing, as Matthew 10:27 tells us.  “What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.”  The Lord would teach them what they needed to know privately so that they could learn exactly what he intended, but then they were to proclaim it publically.  Attempting to make the scriptures more attractive or popular may well defeat the entire purpose, as I Corinthians 1:17 reminds us.  “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” 

Jesus had already warned that the world would persecute the Christians.  We are not to let that fear silence us or change our message.  Matthew 10:28 reminds us that the worst thing the world can do to us is kill our body but that God’s judgment will last for eternity.  “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”  While the world can torture us, sooner or later we die and they can do nothing more.  Mark 9:43-48 makes it very clear it would be better to be maimed and live in constant pain than to be cast into hell, because there the torture never ends and the victim never dies.  “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.  And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.  And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” 

The worst the world can do is nothing compared to the judgment of God for their persecution of his servants.  Matthew 10:29-31 points out that Christ values his servants very highly.   “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. Mt 10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.  Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”   

Christ loved us enough to give his very life for us, and he cares enough to keep track of how many hairs are on your head.  Obviously he cares far more for us than we care for ourselves.  He promises to introduce those who serve him at God’s throne, rewarding them for their faith and service. Those who deny Christ, refusing to accept him will be rejected, even though, like Judas Iscariot, they may have been very active in their religion, even acting as an apostle.  Matthew 7:21-23 warns, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Those who have received Christ will be rewarded according to what they have done, as I Corinthians 3:13-15 tells us.  “Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” 

If we wish to receive rewards, it is important that we teach the word, without fear, not modifying it to satisfy the world around us.  II Timothy 4:2-4 commands, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”  Modifying our message to placate the world defeats God’s purpose.  Just preach the Word the way God intended it.