“For God has not given us the spirit of cowardice, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (II Timothy 1:7).
The spirit of cowardice lives and thrives in churches these days. It has a corner in the office of many a pastor, and makes whimpering sounds familiar to many of us….
“You don’t want to do that. It might rock the boat.”
“Deacon Crenshaw will be upset if you preach that. I wouldn’t.”
“Back off on that vision God gave you. You’re going to lose some members if you push that.”
“Pastor, you must not oppose the power group in your church. They ran off the last three preachers.”
“The biggest giver in the church is threatening to withhold his tithes if you persist in letting those people come to our church.”
We surely don’t want to offend anyone, do we?
We don’t? Show me that one in the Bible. Jesus didn’t mind offending those who were dead-set on flouting the laws of God and blocking the ministries of the faithful.
Jesus did not mind offending those who were stealing from widows and burdening down the hurting and scoffing at the hungry.
Go ahead and offend them, preacher. Even if you lose your job–and many a faithful pastor has indeed found himself out of the pulpit and selling used cars for a time as a result of his obedience to God–you will have all eternity to be glad you were faithful.
In fact, if I may be so bold as to say so, you will be a hero in Heaven.