Bible Studies

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Deep true love of others demands the courage to share the truth with them about everything and anything of importance. So often in our world, the soft answer that turns away wrath accomplishes nothing because it tells the listener what he want to hear, whether it be true or not. Proverbs 15:1 addresses the manner in which we speak to others, kindly and gently, or angrily and viciously about anything--not just to pervert truth in order to gain approval or to win an argument.

Some "religion" in today's world is "feel good" propaganda in the same category of products that are advertised as able to accomplish the impossible. Our manner needs to be tender, loving and kind, but it must be the hard core truth or it is empty of any solid value. Compromising Bible truth in order to make it palatable to the listener(s) is a waste of time to the one and an insult to the other.

To pervert or ignore a Scripture from the pulpit or by adverse lifestyle because it makes folks uncomfortable does no one any favor. To the heart that is open to the actual teachings of Jesus, it is a favor when soeone shares a truth, but it takes more than pretty language, empty rhetoric and a strong attractive personality to deliver the real gift. It has to be the simple, powerful truth of the gospel, applicable to everyone in exactly the same measure: total and complete. Jesus is the perfect teaching Example. He pulled no punches according to the status of the listeners. It was just the pure, unadulterated, simple gospel truth. To the poor broken bodies, the poor sad woman taken in adultery, to the one leper who returned to thank Him, to the thief on the cross, He was gentle and kind. He read their hearts, their repentance, their humility, their gratitude and their sincerity. But it was a different story with the proud, arrogant Pharisees and teachers of the law. Read Chapter 23 of Matthew's gospel to see real castigation, not because Jesus didn't love them, but because He loved them enough to share the Truth with them. Having done that, the ball was in their court. They could learn from the Master Teacher or they could proceed to reject the Truth and crucify its Foremost Proponent. It is ever thus to this good day. True love has as its basis truth-telling. When truth is shared, the burden then rests on the hearer either to heed or ignore. The one who ignores it is not loved less, but has voluntarily and hopefully, only momentarily, moved himself beyond reach, even God's.

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