We Need Preachers of Truth

       Ever since the death and resurrection of Christ, men have gone around preaching and spreading the Word. Unfortunately, in many cases, the truth has been twisted or misunderstood and the message they are spreading is their own and not that of God. How can we tell the difference, or can we know what the truth really is? Some people believe that much of the Bible can't be fully understood and God left it up to man to freely translate His Word. Of course we all know what man can do to the truth of anything, so why would God allow fallible men to distort it? Besides, Jesus Himself said "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32). There are many who teach this as "You CAN know...", but Jesus actually was saying you will know. How can we know what the truth is? Well John wrote in John 21:24 that his testimony is true, all we need to do is study it.
       Too many preachers and T.V. evangelists preach a message that is either far from truth, or deliver a message that their listeners want to hear. Their message is often a feel good one and is often uplifting, but should it always be? Jesus was accused of being too negative, and on many occasions taught about the dangers of hell. Yet today, there is a new movement teaching that there is no such place as hell because God loves us too much to ever condemn us there. Is that truth? John Calvin, whom millions of people today still follow his teachings, taught that God chooses who is to be saved and who is not before we are even born. This is would mean that it doesn't matter if you are faithful or not because the decision has already been made. If this were true, what is the point of having scripture to teach us anything?
       Then we have those that are simply afraid to rock the boat, not wanting to offend anyone in this new age of 'tolerance'. An example of this is the popular televangelist Joel Olsteen. For years Mr. Olsteen taught against the dangers of homosexuality, that is until Sixty Minutes pressed him for being bigoted. When they did, he stated he still believes it is sin, but he won't preach against it so as not to offend anyone. Others have even gone as far as encouraging same-sex couples to join their congregation and will marry them. How often do we hear a sermon on what Jesus taught about the truth of marriage? Oh, we hear many sermons on family, but rarely do we hear about Christ condemning divorce except for the case of adultery (Matthew 19:9-10)? With the divorce rate in this country well over fifty percent, very few want to teach about this, knowing that many in their audience have been married more than once. The truth isn't always pleasant, but if it isn't taught, it will lead to those who believe otherwise.
       Jesus tells us to go out into the world and preach His message which we can only find in the Bible. Paul wrote in Romans 12:11 that we should be zealous in every good work, to know the teachings of Christ and teach others. But probably the best books in the Bible to read about a preacher and his work is Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus. In Titus 1:9-16, Paul informs his young friend to "hold to the faithful word according to the teaching...to convict the gainsayers. For there are many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers...whose mouths must be stopped." Paul goes on to say that his testimony is true, and false teachers should be reproved sharply. He ends in verse 16 by saying "They profess that they know God; but by their works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." Paul, arguably the greatest preacher that ever lived, shows us that we just can't believe or teach whatever we want as long as we do it in God's name, but teach the truth only.
       In his letter to Timothy, Paul writes to not be ashamed of the gospel, and to preach not according to our works, but to His purpose and grace. The only way to know what He wants is to study for yourself, and know what the truth is. After all, you are responsible for your own actions, and can only reach salvation for what you do, not what your preacher does. Recently, I was speaking to someone about a certain topic. They gave me their interpretation on it, but when I tried to show them what the Bible said, they actually told me they didn't know for sure, and I should talk to their minister. How sad that is that they completely rely on someone else's teaching, and not searching it out for themselves. What if that teacher is wrong, or misleading and you are blindly following? Will God just shrug and say "It's ok, it's not your fault."? We need more preachers who preach the truth, and we must know the truth even before the sermon!
       Not long ago, there was a documentary on the growing atheist population. One case stuck in my mind more than the others. A college student had started an atheist club at his campus when he stopped believing in God. The reason for his apostasy? His father, who was a Baptist preacher, told him that God would literally speak to him when he was saved. Well, after a few years of waiting to hear God's voice that never came, the boy could only arrive at two conclusions. Either God was not happy with him, or He doesn't exist. Sadly, he chose the latter. It never occurred to him that maybe the message from the start was wrong, and that God can exist without ever hearing His voice. Because of false teaching, that boy, and many others, are in a lost state.
       We need more preachers who are willing to teach the truth, even when it hurts, or might offend some. We need preachers who care about the souls of the lost, and only aim is to help save and teach the truth. Not someone who examines the Bible and comes up with their own conclusion, and then wants millions to preach on television. Have you ever wondered if someone like Joel Olsteen, or Joyce Meyer would continue if they got paid only 30 or 40 thousand a year? Could they continue that lifestyle, and keep teaching a warm and fuzzy message that offends none and is tolerant of all? Again, our reward depends on what we do and believe, not on what a preacher says. We need more preachers of truth.