"...brood of vipers!"
"...white-washed sepulchres!"
"...den of thieves!"
Who would have the insensitivity to say such things?
Who would be so intolerant as to judge someone else's "truth"?
Who would dare to call someone's "personal choice" "sin"?
Jesus -- the same person who ate with outcasts, forgave sinners, healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, and raised the dead.
He is kind and compassionate to those who admit their sin and turn to Him for mercy, but with those who will not, Jesus is direct.
Some people think that it is impolite or rude to tell a necessary but unpleasant truth. And there are many times when it is proper to ignore others' everyday failings, for as the Scriptures say, "We all stumble in many ways," and, "Love covers over a multitude of sins."
But when failing to speak up allows someone to be harmed, it is a Christian's duty to tell the truth, with gentleness and respect.
Today, many Christians are worried about offending people. Many are afraid to be called names. Many would choose popularity with the ungodly over pleasing God.
Jesus said that when men speak well of us we should be concerned, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
But when men speak ill of us because we are doing and saying what Jesus would have us say and do, we should rejoice, for that is how their ancestors treated God's prophets.
Christians need to stop worrying about offending people and to start telling the truth, because people are dying. The eternity that awaits those whose sin is still on their own heads is hell (and I'm not speaking figuratively).
God grant His people the courage -- and the love -- to tell the truth.
