Any cop or firefighter would never drive by a structure fire without offering help. As we approach the catastrophe, we are there to represent the “good news”—help has arrived, and we want to get people to safety. But think about this for a minute: “Good news” can only be present if “bad news” is the alternative. Rescuing people from a burning building is a good thing because there is bad news—the place is ablaze.
The same is true of God’s Word. The gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ is good news because the bad news of God’s judgment—eternal separation from him—exists if we reject his Son as the Messiah. This concept is fundamental to understanding the Christian faith and the importance of evangelism.
Since I began writing, I have made many new friends. Yet past professional acquaintances I thought were allies have dropped like flies since I began writing and publicly teaching God’s word through books, blogs, and articles upon retirement from law enforcement. One in particular asked to be removed from my list of contacts, and I have become fodder for salacious gossip, rumors, and innuendos in a few social circles. While this is disappointing, it should not catch me, or us, by surprise. The more we speak up for Jesus, we will not only attract people to the “good news” of the gospel, but those who reject it are offended by the “bad news” that comes with it. To justify their position of rejection, the message and/or messenger needs to be discredited and kept at arm’s length. This is a common experience for those who share their faith publicly.
I considered my circumstances when reading the Bible recently, and I was encouraged by the truth! “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:2-4).
The phrase “itching ears” grabbed me as I read this passage. People will hear what they want to hear, not necessarily what they need to hear. It’s a human tendency to seek out information that confirms existing beliefs, rather than challenging them. This can be particularly dangerous when it comes to spiritual matters. I thought of my German Shepherds while typing this devotion. They have ears like radar that filter out distractions and always listen to me, their master. We need to do the same with God. We must train ourselves to listen for God’s voice amidst the noise of the world.
Finally, I fervently pray before posting my thoughts. I do not want my instruction, or interpretation of Scripture to “soothe the itch,” but to “salve the wound” that can only be healed by the love of God. “Only God can destroy evil,” said my pastor, Tim Hawks, “so we need to be faithful.” Therefore, I will devotedly march on! Are you marching or in retreat?
-Jim