As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
–Galatians 1:9-10
I know a man who became a pastor at a little church in a southern suburban community. He was fairly young, and the pastor before him was there for close to 30 years. Now the problem with the previous pastor is that he preached a lot of “feel-good” sermons, but never got to Jesus!
So at the end of the service one day, a lady walked up to the new young pastor and told him, “I don’t like your preaching style. You’re too direct, and all you talk about is Jesus. It’s like you’re preaching a different gospel!”
Well, the truth is, he probably was preaching another Gospel—the real one. Yet while many loved his teaching, there were several people who wanted to go back to the “good ole days,” not being challenged, but rather patted on the back for being good churchgoers.
Now we’re not supposed to be abrasive just to get attention. But when it comes to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, preach boldly. While some will tune you out because they dislike your message, you’ll be able to have a clear conscience before the Lord, knowing you stayed faithful to the Word!
STAY FAITHFUL TO THE GOSPEL, KNOWING THAT WHILE YOU’LL ENCOUNTER RESISTANCE, YOU’LL HAVE A CLEAR CONSCIENCE BEFORE GOD!
