DOES THE TRUTH OFFEND YOU? HERE’S WHY- 2Tim.3:16,17

BY EDWARD O’HARA

I don’t know about you, but when God speaks to me I hear reproof, instruction, and correction. And because His word is sharper than any 2 edged sword these are not generally delivered very gently or with softness. They are however very encouraging and uplifting when we will humble ourselves.

Because it is in this way that we are constantly reassured that we are His children and He is our Father. And that He loves us dearly. Because His word tells us that those He loves He disciplines. And that discipline finds its way to us through His word.

When God speaks to you through His word what do you hear? Do you hear a soft and gentle voice whispering to you sweet nothings? A voice of encouragement without accountability?

Then I contend you are probably not hearing His voice at all. But, only some wistful nonsense of your own making, or worse. Because when you read about Jesus in the gospels that Jesus is not presented there.

When you think about Jesus what do you see? A man who was gentle and kind never having a cross word with anyone? Or one who called people out for their wrong beliefs and bad behavior? Let’s take a look at the scriptures and see which is true and which is fiction. Which is one of your own making. And which is the historically accurate Jesus.

Consider first the first things said about Him. How in Luke2:41-52 we see that as a child Jesus “grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.” Try to keep this grace of God upon Him part in the back of your mind as we read through this.

We see also in this story that that “his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.”

Now see the answer He gave to His mother and father. That it was not “Oh, sorry mom and dad. I didn’t mean to worry you.” Instead He told them plainly, “49 How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”

In this story we see Jesus filled with wisdom, and the grace of God upon Him. And we see what this meant when they went to Jerusalem for the Passover feast and they got separated.

Because when His parents found Him and asked why He would do such a thing that upset them so. He answered matter of factly, “How is it that ye sought after me? Don’t you know I must be about my Father’s business?”

The passage tells us that they didn’t have a clue what He meant by this saying. But, that rather than getting angry with Him which would seem a normal response for a parent whose child answered in this way. They kept the sayings in their heart. Able to do this obviously because of the events surrounding His birth.

But, they could have been offended if they wanted to, couldn’t they? Even angry with Him. I mean, who does He think He is talking to His parents like that? Even if He was afterward “subject to them”. Being angry with Him talking that way to them would have been quite natural.

I’ll give you another one to consider. In John2 we read that He had opportunity to help with a wedding that had run out of wine. His mother came to Him saying, “They have no wine.” And instead of simply responding by helping where He could. He replied, “Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.”

Do you think this seemed to Mary a very kind and gentle and compassionate response? So here was another opportunity for Mary to be offended at His words. But, also another opportunity for her to humble herself. And that’s exactly what she chose. Because rather than sulking or responding angrily the passage tells us that she turned and said to the servants there, “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.”

And what resulted from this was the first miracle Jesus did. And not just any miracle. The passage tells us that it was a miracle that “manifested forth his glory.” Because in this miracle He showed who He was and why He had come and what He intended to do for mankind.

Now whether Mary got offended or not at Jesus’ words would not have impacted what was going to happen in the future this miracle revealed. But, it certainly would have diminished for her their effects. She would have missed the blessing if she had gotten offended.

But, instead she was blessed because she humbled herself. James says this is exactly how things work in God’s economy. Because God resists the proud. But, gives more grace to the humble.

There is also the time when Jesus spoke with the woman at the well. After asking her to draw water and give it to Him she wondered why He was talking to her being that she was a Samaritan and Him a Jew.

And in this conversation it came up that she had no husband to draw water for her, Jesus told her “Thou hast well said, I have no husband:

18 For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.”

What a cruel and critical thing for Jesus to say! Right? This was a perfect opportunity for her to be offended at Jesus. Or at least hurt by His words. He basically called her out for her fornication.

But, what did she do instead? She marveled at His words saying, “Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.” And she continued saying, “Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.”

But, Jesus wanting her to know that true worship would one day soon be for all men told her,

“21 Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

In this conversation we see Jesus unpretentious and unafraid of offending. But, concerned solely with the truth and its value for those who will humble themselves to hear and obey it.

The person who is prideful has no concern for such things. When they hear instruction or correction all they see is a critical spirit. This person will have great difficulty receiving anything from the Lord.

So I ask again, when you hear God speaking to you is it gentle and kind? Or is it instructive and reproving providing doctrine and correction for righteousness? Because that’s what 2Tim.3:16,17 tells us the word of God is for. “17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

And Jesus being the very word of God as John1:1 and 14 says. We know that this is what His speaking to us should sound like. Because as we have seen, when Jesus meets people where they are He tells them the truth.

And if we are proud and unwilling the truth hits like criticism and a put down. With the result that instead of changing those things we need to. We puff up, even making accusations to avoid His correction and reproof.

So instead of making ourselves receivers of God’s grace. Like Pharaoh, through pride we make ourselves resistant to it. Having eyes we do not see and having ears we do not hear.

I could go on using examples like the Pharisees. Who because of their pride resisted Jesus when He said they were whitewashed tombs ful of dead men’s bones. Who knew what He said was true. But, wouldn’t humble themselves to admit it and receive His grace.

Or like the man who buried his talent in the ground. For fear of what he believed about God if he should lose it. Thinking God to be “a hard man”. Rather than the gracious lover and keeper of men’s souls.

So you can choose to be offended by words that are meant to be instructive responding with things like, “He just has a critical spirit. So I’m not talking to him anymore.” Or you can choose to humble yourself under God and make the best use of what you have been told.

It’s to our benefit when we hear Jesus’ critical voice, which is the preferred voice He used during all of His ministry here on earth, as He helps us see where the barriers are to our fully trusting in Him. Making our lives line up with His judgments. Just as 1Cor.2:16 says of the spiritual man, of which Jesus was the only one when He lived here as a man, that he “judges all things”. Yet is judged of no man.

Is this to you a critical spirit? Or the instruction from God that brings more grace as we humble ourselves before Him? The latter should be our goal. And will be if we learn biblical humility.

The kind that chooses not to be offended when we hear the truth. But, instead continue hearing as we learn from God what it means to live the life of a spiritual man.

Jesus loves us and that’s the absolute truth. But, we must not confuse His love with feel good sermons and obfuscations of the truth. Or like the Pharisees we too will wind up following fables meant to distract us from what God really wants to do in our lives.

And if you have not yet come to know Jesus and His amazing grace then confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus. And believe in your heart that He has raised from the dead. And you will be saved. Made a child of God by a spirit He creates in you that you never had before. Now able to be led by His Spirit as He leads and guides in truth.

Do this… and I will see you there or in the air!