Most of us have been in a situation where we are trying to teach someone the truth, but they feel like you are insulting them with accusations. Yes, we’ve seen tempers flare. Yes, we have watched as we open the Bible and they close their copy of the Scriptures. Yes, we’ve sat frustrated wondering why some are so insulted by our attempts to save their souls. What we need to realize about these situations is simple: when we are teaching the one in sin is being accused of disobedience to God. There is a difference between the one who will listen and the one who will not. This difference often boils down to whether they will see it as God’s way or if they will excuse themselves by saying it’s your way. The difference is seen in one who says “I don’t agree with you” versus the one who says “I need to repent according to these Scriptures”. Most people believe they are saved. It is not because they have thoroughly studied the Scriptures that they believe this, but because they “feel” saved or have been told so. It is no wonder that they feel accused of something when we open the Bible and attempt to show them otherwise. Our Savior faced the same challenges in teaching that we do. Notice what Jesus did in response to this attitude: “Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God… Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?” (John 5:18; 39-47). When we open the Scriptures we find contained therein the word of life (I John 1:1-3). One purpose of God’s word is to correct us (II Timothy 3:16). One major purpose of preaching is to help us get things right (II Timothy 4:2). We need to use God’s word when we are going to correct someone. You see, your opinion is just as good as the opinion of another (Proverbs 20:24). Regardless of how long someone has been a Christian their opinion does not become God’s standard of judgment. You cannot stand before the Lord in the Judgment Day and say “brother ___________ said I should do this or that” (John 12: 48). So, to begin this section of this article, let us plainly declare that we must teach and correct using only God’s word (Luke 4:4, Luke 11:28, Romans 10:17, and I Thessalonians 2:13). Using God’s word to teach will not stop someone from making your attempt to save their soul a personal attack on them. As Jesus was teaching in the Synagogue we find this is true: “And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son? And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong” (Luke 4:17-29). That being said, we do not teach from the Scriptures just to avoid someone getting mad at us. In fact, it is more likely that someone will be angry when we use the Scriptures to teach rather than a human opinion. We must use the Scriptures to teach because that is the only way to help someone be saved for the first time (Romans 1:16 and I Corinthians 1:18-21) or to be restored to a previous relationship with the Father (Acts 15 and Titus 1:9). Let us therefore open the Scriptures as we teach and correct. This leaves aside the possible charge that we have changed something to fit our beliefs. Notice this great example: “Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ” (Acts 17:1-3). We will surely continue to hear those who will not obey God tell us that we are accusing or judging them. We will often find the more love we show in trying to help others the less we’ll see in return (II Corinthians 12:15). We may become their enemies for teaching them the truth (Galatians 4:16). This is so because the truth does accuse those guilty of sin. Let’s not allow those things to stop us from sharing the truth! |
| Volume VIII ~ Issue X ~ December 2nd, 2007 |
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
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What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)? Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17), repent of their
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6). Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16). One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10). There is
more to cover than is here. Contact me today for a study: brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6). Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16). One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10). There is
more to cover than is here. Contact me today for a study: brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
| Edited by: Brian A. Yeager |
| “Why Are You Accusing Me?” By: Brian A. Yeager |
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| It Is God’s Word That Accuses You! |
| Conclusion |