2 Corinthians 4:1-7
“1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”
It never ceases to amaze me how this time every year men, pastors, preachers, and teachers, men who preach God's Word with boldness and truth throughout the rest of the year all of a sudden begin to follow after the traditions of man. In many places we are warned of this in God's Word. Yet, whether it is to appease the crowd or to keep peace in their home/family, or simply to feed their own sinful flesh or maybe a combination of all this, these men will set aside the truth of God's Word and begin preaching a series of lies. Lies that are so easily refuted if one is willing to study God's Word.
It's almost as though these men care nothing for the recorded birth of our Lord and Savior in Matthew and Luke and prefer the fairy tales of unsaved men.
The saddest of all this is the claim that it is all for the “children”. But, is it really? We preach about telling the truth all year long then when it comes down to the earthly birth of Jesus Christ many can't even open their Bibles and read what it says in fear of being made a heretic by God Himself.
Every year those of us who boldly stand for the truth in this matter are chided and ridiculed by those who claim the name of Christ but refuse to stand on the truth. Instead, for sentimental reasons they fall back into their old life of sin and from the same pulpit in which they have preached truth all year long, are now “turned unto fables”.
Make no doubt about it, I am speaking to and of Baptist here. Why preach the very doctrines of devils our forefathers died fighting against? We think and are commonly taught that the martyrs who died throughout church history fought only against infant baptism. Find you a good Baptist History book. Read of how those men and women stood against everything Roman Catholicism forced on their people that was false doctrine. This included the Roman observation of the Christ-Mass.
If we are going to claim to be part of the Lord's Bride, then why would we preach the doctrines and traditions of those who are clearly the enemy of our Bridegroom?
If you are a Pastor or Preacher or Teacher or Missionary, the Lord has given you a ministry. “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.” “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”
Brethren, preach Christ and Him crucified. Forsake false doctrine and the traditions of the world and preach the truth of God. “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.”
Now more than ever our loved ones need to hear the truth from God's Word. And it is our job to proclaim it!!!
Praise ye the Lord!!!
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