"Who Locked HIM Out?!?"
Revelation 3:14-22
Flattery has become the currency of advancement. In a world that awards ribbons for participation, the last thing anyone is prepared to hear is truth…unadorned, non-cosmeticized honesty!
Young William endured the sermon, only half-heartedly engaged. But suddenly his attention was arrested when the pastor declared, "Cast aside all deceit and hypocrisy and speak the truth in love." Young William determined that he would accept that challenge and test it over Christmas. So, Christmas morn he opens his gifts to immediate disappointment. A pen and a pencil, a straight edge, a brush and comb and (the crowning insult) a book on church history!
Aunt Emma asks, "Did you like the book I gave you?" Determined to practice the pastor's sermon, he responds, "No!" His family immediately reproves him for his rudeness and insensitivity. But the atmosphere brightens as William present his own gifts to his Aunt and Uncle. Aunt Emma sort of coldly expresses appreciation for the pincushion she had received. But, committed to trafficking in truth, William explains, "I didn't really spend any money on it. Mom had it left over from her garage sale and she said I might as well give it as a gift since it was already worn and faded, so not worth saving for a later sale." As one can only imagine, the temperature of the family room had definitely dropped to a very cold level!
But later in the day, this raw truthfulness reached an unprecedented peak when the family received a visit from Lady Atkinson, a domineering and haughty member of the aristocracy. She condescendingly presented a gift to William's relatives, a framed portrait of herself. As young William examined the work, Lady Atkinson asked, "Don't you think it looks very much like me?" Again, committed to keeping the pastor's exhortations, he responded in honesty, "It does look a bit like you but not as fat as you!" (paraphrased from William's Truthful Christmas, by Richmal Crompton.
Flattery has become the currency of advancement. In a world that awards ribbons for participation, the last thing anyone is prepared to hear is truth…unadorned, non-cosmeticized honesty!
Well, when the Lord of the Church speaks to His Church, He does not fall into the flattery snare. He certainly delivers His word with grace and packaged in love, but He delivers it straight forward and honestly. "You are neither cold nor hot…I will spit you out of my mouth!"—Rev. 3:16
Sometimes we need it straight. The painful truth may be quite painful. But the first step toward turning things around is the recognition of just where things presently are. A bit of unadorned, non-cosmeticized honesty will go a long way toward repairing what has fallen into disrepair. A loving and honest assessment begins a journey of radical revival. "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent."— Rev. 3:19. Loving truthfulness and a word of hope from the Savior who has been locked out of His Church. Perhaps it IS time to hear the truth, unadorned and non-cosmeticized—the first step toward restoring what has been broken!
See you Sunday, Church!
Pastor Tom