A Lonely Position!

In my 28 years of preaching, I've witnessed many bizzare things. What never ceases to amaze me is how many in Christ Jesus can assemble with the saints week after week, yet have so little concern for the ways of God. I've seen young mothers continually sow to their flesh, until one day they leave their family to chase what they think is a dream life (in the form of another man). Their own relationship with their husband is lacking and someone gives them a little attention they have longed for and off and running they go, completely setting aside God in the process but telling themselves (and others) they love the Lord. I've watched men and other preachers, teach classes, serve as elders/deacons and do things completely opposite of God and His teachings. God's word seemed to have little impact on their personal lives. As I have aged, and hopefully gained a little wisdom, I can see things coming in people's lives just by their attitude and actions. I do not mean I know their future, but there are patterns people follow and you can watch it happen, while they are so blind to what is going on. When people do not take God's word to heart, they will be led down a path of pain with disastrous results and when it gets to that point, it is very difficult to put anything back together.

Sometimes preaching is a lonely position! My mind thinks of Isaiah when God told him to preach the same things over and over to the people, while they would not respond because they had such insensitive hearts and dull ears (Isa. 6:10). Isaiah asked, "Lord, how long?" God replies, "Until cities are devastated and without inhabitant, houses are without people and the land is utterly destroyed." (Isa. 6:11) In other words, keep preaching and not concern yourself with the results. That is God's department.

The preacher Timothy was told, "Preach the word!" (II Tim. 4:2) Why is this so critical when people seem so uninterested? Because there will be a time when God's people will no longer want sound doctrine but follow their own ideas and a course of the world you cannot do anything about. (II Tim. 4:3-4) But God wants to make certain each and every one is given the opportunity to hear His word of truth so that each is without excuse! Too many preachers are concerned about what the people will think of them rather than what God wants done. They feel responsible for people's lack of response and interest so they turn to gimmicks, stories and entertainment. Preaching can be a lonely position!

I have come to realize that some brethren will go the way of the world/devil and there is nothing you can do for them. I know there will be people that will embrace certain things and ideas that no amount of teaching the truth will penetrate their heart. There will be some who desire God's word, grow in Him and recognize spiritual traps and dangers to avoid because of God's word. I know some will deceive themselves, not even aware of what is happening to their personal lives. Still others will accuse others for their own failures and delimas. People will find the assemblies boring because of their deadness inside their soul and they will try to stir something in another direction. It can be lonely preaching sometimes on this earth. Jesus experienced it. I know what I need to keep doing: Preach the word for the sake of all and leave the results to God! Preaching the word is a great comfort and blessing knowing all is up to God, not man.