I wrote the following post for everyone but also with pastors in mind. What has come of your calling? Has peace and safety taken the place of preaching Christ and Him crucified? Have you become little CEO's just trying to keep the company intact along with your position in the Christian community? Is there no longer a risk involved? Are you now of the establishment class warding off those of us who say that something is wrong? Tell us more of the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ. Tell us more of how one has to be born again and not just a church goer....or is this not really mandatory? Were all those verses like "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness" and "For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few"...were they just scare tactics that don't apply in this modern age....or were and are they God's truth? Our nation is collapsing before our eyes in no small measure because few are willing to risk losing in the eyes of the world. This is not how this nation was built and this is certainly not how the Reformation changed the face of Western Civilization.
It's not talked about much. Maybe it is because it is not recognized or possibly the issue hits a little too close home. We in this present culture have an inordinate fear of being proven wrong. So in order to avoid this we tend not to make bold proclamations, and we tend to stay close to the accepted opinions. Oh we make all kinds of bold statements on issues that cannot be proven wrong, for there is no risk there. For instance, one might defend or attack either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. First of all, both opinions are held by very large groups. If the evidence amasses against one's opinion while part of large group all one would have to do is withdraw into that group and the feared humiliation would be negated. Secondly, in this age where truth is not recognized as such or even diligently sought after, the evidence can simply be ignored and false evidence given in rebuttal. This happens all the time in politics.
Part of the problem is that we lack confidence in many of our opinions because we know that we haven't done all the homework related to it. We may have done a lot and formed a strong opinion but the possibility exits that we may ultimately be wrong. No one likes to lose in this culture. Everyone is to be a winner. That's why Facebook was created...you present yourself as a winner whether it's true or not. That's why everyone has to get a trophy. That's also the reason for many of the street murders in our nation....someone 'disrespected' someone else!
What's missing is the relationship of the individual to God. You see, God knows all of our innermost thoughts. We can't hide them from Him. Even if we successfully blot them out of our consciousness....He knows exactly what we blotted out! This is good. This is wonderful! This is a great blessing, but only if it is understood.
Has someone wronged us? OK, there are pains associated with it but the Creator of this universe, the Living God, and the Blessed Redeemer of all who trust in Him knows the truth. This concept has to be grasped for within it is a 'peace ...which surpasses all understanding.'
This problem of the fear of being proven wrong, as I perceive it, is especially endemic in this culture and this age that we live in. There are other cultures in this world where this problem does not exist. There were times past in our own nation where honor far exceeded failure. One could fail and still have honor!
I mentioned in the beginning of this post that this issue is not talked about much. To be more specific, it is not labelled as such, for the 'fear of failure' is indeed addressed. We are strongly encouraged not to fear failure....even to reach for the stars....or go for the gold. This advice can be very helpful but the Rx is too isolated and circumvents the real problem. There are much more important matters at hand than success and winning. The fear of failure when it involves standing for what is right...or even what one believes to be right...and particularly when it addresses the Gospel of Jesus Christ....this fear is essentially telling God that man's opinion is more important than His!
We will be wrong at times. Everyone will, but God knows why you believe what you believe. He knows if your opinion is self-serving. He knows if pride is involved. He has even provided a way if you should find out that your motives were not what you thought they were. Everything is to be for His Glory! Keep this in mind always and cast that fear aside and go boldly knowing that God can pull you in gently with a staff when you exceed your limits and He can lovingly bring you back with the rod if necessary when you have erred.
It's not talked about much. Maybe it is because it is not recognized or possibly the issue hits a little too close home. We in this present culture have an inordinate fear of being proven wrong. So in order to avoid this we tend not to make bold proclamations, and we tend to stay close to the accepted opinions. Oh we make all kinds of bold statements on issues that cannot be proven wrong, for there is no risk there. For instance, one might defend or attack either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. First of all, both opinions are held by very large groups. If the evidence amasses against one's opinion while part of large group all one would have to do is withdraw into that group and the feared humiliation would be negated. Secondly, in this age where truth is not recognized as such or even diligently sought after, the evidence can simply be ignored and false evidence given in rebuttal. This happens all the time in politics.
Part of the problem is that we lack confidence in many of our opinions because we know that we haven't done all the homework related to it. We may have done a lot and formed a strong opinion but the possibility exits that we may ultimately be wrong. No one likes to lose in this culture. Everyone is to be a winner. That's why Facebook was created...you present yourself as a winner whether it's true or not. That's why everyone has to get a trophy. That's also the reason for many of the street murders in our nation....someone 'disrespected' someone else!
What's missing is the relationship of the individual to God. You see, God knows all of our innermost thoughts. We can't hide them from Him. Even if we successfully blot them out of our consciousness....He knows exactly what we blotted out! This is good. This is wonderful! This is a great blessing, but only if it is understood.
Has someone wronged us? OK, there are pains associated with it but the Creator of this universe, the Living God, and the Blessed Redeemer of all who trust in Him knows the truth. This concept has to be grasped for within it is a 'peace ...which surpasses all understanding.'
This problem of the fear of being proven wrong, as I perceive it, is especially endemic in this culture and this age that we live in. There are other cultures in this world where this problem does not exist. There were times past in our own nation where honor far exceeded failure. One could fail and still have honor!
I mentioned in the beginning of this post that this issue is not talked about much. To be more specific, it is not labelled as such, for the 'fear of failure' is indeed addressed. We are strongly encouraged not to fear failure....even to reach for the stars....or go for the gold. This advice can be very helpful but the Rx is too isolated and circumvents the real problem. There are much more important matters at hand than success and winning. The fear of failure when it involves standing for what is right...or even what one believes to be right...and particularly when it addresses the Gospel of Jesus Christ....this fear is essentially telling God that man's opinion is more important than His!
We will be wrong at times. Everyone will, but God knows why you believe what you believe. He knows if your opinion is self-serving. He knows if pride is involved. He has even provided a way if you should find out that your motives were not what you thought they were. Everything is to be for His Glory! Keep this in mind always and cast that fear aside and go boldly knowing that God can pull you in gently with a staff when you exceed your limits and He can lovingly bring you back with the rod if necessary when you have erred.
