For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. - 2 Timothy 4:3-4
As Reformed Christians, we find ourselves constantly at odds with everyone around us. Whether it be our insistence on the inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible or our strict adhesion to the “Five Solas,”we will find resistance everywhere we look. The Gospel we believe in is constantly under assault and far too often by people claiming to be Christians. Many who claim Christianity may feel our Reformed belief system is too restrictive, unforgiving, or exclusive to stand as a beacon of light to the outside world. “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” - 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.
Friendships lost, families torn apart, relationships shattered; these are the fruits of disagreement. These are the children of conflict. And far too often unavoidable. In fact, the very hardest detail to accept is that Christ Himself even warned us of this heart-wrenching possibility. “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” - Matthew 10:37-38. Christ’s position is clear so the choice we make as Christians must be as equally clear. We may choose Christ or we may choose the world. No amount of worldly logic or chicanery can be entertained if we are to hold fast to our beliefs. No “common sense” approach or basic worldly wisdom can undo the work of the Holy Spirit less it undoes our very souls! And if that means a family being torn apart then let God’s will be done rather than play advocate to sin and mock the very blood of Christ! “And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” Matthew 5:30. These words of Jesus Christ referencing our hand or eye hold just as true for anything or anyone who would cause us to sin by demanding we soften or alter the Gospel. “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” - 2 John:10-11.
There are even “Christians” who staunchly preach and defend the faith until it involves a cavalier family member or friend. Then they will boldly rail against anyone who would dare rebuke the one in error rather than take the side of “Primum Christo et Christi solus.” They will almost casually dismiss the error of faulty faith in this case. They step back from boldly preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Hell-fire, like the truth, is seldom popular with those who are more concerned about the approval of men than the salvation of souls.
We live in a world that insists upon tolerance at any cost. Of course, that tolerance is expected only from church worshiping Reformed Christians and no one else! It is we who are labeled bigots, racists, homophobes, and Islamaphobes. We are cursed at as inflexible, narrow-minded, and intolerant. This is the way of the world, the flesh, and the devil. We must accept it; understand it, and refuse to be shamed or silenced by it. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” - Romans 12:2.
If we want to be true Christians we must understand from the start that we cannot love both the world and Christ! It is spiritually impossible. And once we realize that fact we must also come to terms with the reality that some who are close to us may not care to love Christ at all. Their love of the world is the thing that most matters to them. In many cases, it is the only thing that matters to them! It is thus so because they have never heard the effectual call of the Holy Spirit. Sure, they have heard the Gospel preached but they have only heard with their ears and never with their hearts. Oh, certainly they might have heard the call and shown up for a Sunday or two but then the world came calling them to the game or to the picnic and their fire for God turned as cold as ash because they were forced to make a choice. And choose, they did. “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.” - Matthew 13:22.
No one has ever said that choosing Christ would be easy. In fact, Jesus Himself told us that to do so we would have to sacrifice to follow Him. “Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’” - Luke 9:23. Christ said that our commitment to Him must be total and without hesitation. “And another also said, ‘Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’” - Luke 9:61-62. This is the cost of discipleship and if we are not willing to pay the cost, no matter what that cost is, we cannot be His disciples.
These are just some of the hard sayings of Jesus but they are indeed His words. And which of us denies Jesus to save or retrieve human relationships denies his or her own faith in Christ. “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” - Matthew 10:32-33. Let us pray boldly for the deliverance of those who are dear to us and never make excuse or exception for sin.
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