The standard of Bible truth becomes confused when people who say they “know God” become enamored with the culture as it shifts away from God, and with their community when it sympathizes with surface truth only. When this happens, a separation takes place: The Godhead does not conform to our preferences and whim; rather, we are to conform to the Lord and His standard.
To represent Him correctly we draw from His Word. Unfortunately, those agitated by Bible truths may not (even) read the Bible. Bible knowledge for them may consist of only a few verses, with some documentary-style theology and philosophical beliefs mixed in. For them, hearing the false – represented as true, over and over again – produces belief in those things. Add to the misinformation an absence of relationship with God and the result is offense… for the truth’s sake, meaning for the Word’s sake.
Foolishness is associated with those who are un-teachable. Their words reveal their ignorance; without ears to hear they do not—cannot—understand. But wisdom in the Lord’s camp prophesies truth; and as messengers of wisdom revealed in the Word, we proclaim it from the rooftops, for all who are willing to hear.
Jesus knew that when blind men received their sight, when the handicapped and infirmed were made whole and the dead were raised, men with earth-bound hearts would be offended. He knew that any local congregation, distanced from the Lord to the point of unbelief concerning His Kingdom, would attack both the message and messenger of anything greater than their experience.
Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. And tell him, `God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.’ ” And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it. For before John came, all the prophets and the law of Moses looked forward to this present time. And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand! (Matthew 11:4-6, 12-15
Amen.
Matthew 11: 4-6, 12-15
Matthew 10:26-27
