The Most Hated Truth

[bdavidc]

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” ~ Romans 3:23

– This verse affirms the universal nature of sin—everyone is guilty before God.

People go to great lengths to deny, distort, or soften the most hated and uncomfortable truth revealed in Scripture: that every human being is a sinner. In our natural state, we resist this message, preferring to think of ourselves as mostly good, misunderstood, or just flawed in minor ways. But the Word of God speaks clearly and forcefully against that delusion. Sooner or later, no matter how persistently someone denies it, the truth will stand—because every soul will one day stand before God, and there will be no excuses, no defense, no escape.

Scripture does not present sin as a minor mistake or a collection of poor choices—it reveals it as a deep corruption of the human heart. Romans 3:10–12 states, “As it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’” This is not just a bleak description—it is a divine indictment. Sin is not merely something we do; it is who we are by nature. As a result, we are spiritually dead and blind to the truth. The gospel, though it is the power of God for salvation, is foolishness to those who are perishing, as 1 Corinthians 1:18 says: “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

This condition brings not only corruption—it brings divine judgment. According to Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The death here is not limited to physical death; it includes eternal separation from God under His wrath. Hebrews 9:27 warns, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” Sin brings consequences—eternal ones. And John 3:36 makes the choice starkly clear: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

Why is this message so offensive? Because it confronts human pride. It declares that we are not good, not in control, not capable of saving ourselves. It tears down every illusion of self-righteousness and confronts us with the reality that we stand condemned apart from divine mercy. But denying the truth doesn't change it—it only hardens the heart and seals the judgment that is to come.

Sin is more than a moral flaw—it is a debt owed to a holy and righteous God. Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Every sin—whether in thought, word, or deed—is a direct offense against God’s perfect standard. And because He is just, He cannot simply overlook or ignore sin. Forgiveness is not a matter of God sweeping sin under the rug. Justice must be satisfied.

That is where the mercy of God shines. Though we could never repay the debt of our sin, God made a way. Jesus Christ, the spotless, sinless Son of God, willingly came to bear the punishment we deserved. As Isaiah 53:5 declares, “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” On the cross, Christ bore the full weight of God’s wrath against sin. His death was not a tragedy—it was a triumph. When He cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30), the price was paid in full.

Through His resurrection, God confirmed that Christ’s sacrifice was accepted, and now forgiveness is freely offered to all who will repent and believe. As Colossians 2:13–14 says, “God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness… he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.”

This is the only hope for sinners: not denial, not self-improvement, but full surrender to the Savior. The truth is hard—but it is also glorious. For those who believe, the burden of sin is lifted, the debt is canceled, and eternal life is the gift of grace. The most hated doctrine becomes the doorway to the most precious reality—reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ.

 

[ScottA]

View attachment 60808
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” ~ Romans 3:23

– This verse affirms the universal nature of sin—everyone is guilty before God.

People go to great lengths to deny, distort, or soften the most hated and uncomfortable truth revealed in Scripture: that every human being is a sinner. In our natural state, we resist this message, preferring to think of ourselves as mostly good, misunderstood, or just flawed in minor ways. But the Word of God speaks clearly and forcefully against that delusion. Sooner or later, no matter how persistently someone denies it, the truth will stand—because every soul will one day stand before God, and there will be no excuses, no defense, no escape.

Scripture does not present sin as a minor mistake or a collection of poor choices—it reveals it as a deep corruption of the human heart. Romans 3:10–12 states, “As it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’” This is not just a bleak description—it is a divine indictment. Sin is not merely something we do; it is who we are by nature. As a result, we are spiritually dead and blind to the truth. The gospel, though it is the power of God for salvation, is foolishness to those who are perishing, as 1 Corinthians 1:18 says: “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

This condition brings not only corruption—it brings divine judgment. According to Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The death here is not limited to physical death; it includes eternal separation from God under His wrath. Hebrews 9:27 warns, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” Sin brings consequences—eternal ones. And John 3:36 makes the choice starkly clear: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

Why is this message so offensive? Because it confronts human pride. It declares that we are not good, not in control, not capable of saving ourselves. It tears down every illusion of self-righteousness and confronts us with the reality that we stand condemned apart from divine mercy. But denying the truth doesn't change it—it only hardens the heart and seals the judgment that is to come.

Sin is more than a moral flaw—it is a debt owed to a holy and righteous God. Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Every sin—whether in thought, word, or deed—is a direct offense against God’s perfect standard. And because He is just, He cannot simply overlook or ignore sin. Forgiveness is not a matter of God sweeping sin under the rug. Justice must be satisfied.

That is where the mercy of God shines. Though we could never repay the debt of our sin, God made a way. Jesus Christ, the spotless, sinless Son of God, willingly came to bear the punishment we deserved. As Isaiah 53:5 declares, “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” On the cross, Christ bore the full weight of God’s wrath against sin. His death was not a tragedy—it was a triumph. When He cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30), the price was paid in full.

Through His resurrection, God confirmed that Christ’s sacrifice was accepted, and now forgiveness is freely offered to all who will repent and believe. As Colossians 2:13–14 says, “God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness… he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.”

This is the only hope for sinners: not denial, not self-improvement, but full surrender to the Savior. The truth is hard—but it is also glorious. For those who believe, the burden of sin is lifted, the debt is canceled, and eternal life is the gift of grace. The most hated doctrine becomes the doorway to the most precious reality—reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ.

https://e-tacklebox.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/hated-truth.mp3

Welcome!

That explanation states the matter well enough within our closed, Christian circle. But it falls short of what the non-Christian would say, or how they would more likely answer the question: "Why is this message so offensive?" Most non-Christians simply go to bed tired after doing what they can all day in an imperfect world--their best perhaps, only to wake up and do it all over again the next day. Their question would be more like, "Sin, what sin? I don't want to hear it. Tell that to the people making everything hard for the rest of us."

They're not offended. And they don't hate the truth. But they don't respect being told they are a sinner, any more than they like trying, when other people are not. That's their world.

So instead of the typical Christian message speaking to them, they keep their nose to the grindstone--those who are trying to be good people that is, until the world as it is fails them. In which case, they don't end up at church because we're all doing such a good job, but because life still has a way of breaking people.

When we understand that, our message is more like Christ's own.

 

[Hey You!]

View attachment 60808
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” ~ Romans 3:23

– This verse affirms the universal nature of sin—everyone is guilty before God.

People go to great lengths to deny, distort, or soften the most hated and uncomfortable truth revealed in Scripture: that every human being is a sinner. In our natural state, we resist this message, preferring to think of ourselves as mostly good, misunderstood, or just flawed in minor ways. But the Word of God speaks clearly and forcefully against that delusion. Sooner or later, no matter how persistently someone denies it, the truth will stand—because every soul will one day stand before God, and there will be no excuses, no defense, no escape.

Scripture does not present sin as a minor mistake or a collection of poor choices—it reveals it as a deep corruption of the human heart. Romans 3:10–12 states, “As it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’” This is not just a bleak description—it is a divine indictment. Sin is not merely something we do; it is who we are by nature. As a result, we are spiritually dead and blind to the truth. The gospel, though it is the power of God for salvation, is foolishness to those who are perishing, as 1 Corinthians 1:18 says: “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

This condition brings not only corruption—it brings divine judgment. According to Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The death here is not limited to physical death; it includes eternal separation from God under His wrath. Hebrews 9:27 warns, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” Sin brings consequences—eternal ones. And John 3:36 makes the choice starkly clear: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

Why is this message so offensive? Because it confronts human pride. It declares that we are not good, not in control, not capable of saving ourselves. It tears down every illusion of self-righteousness and confronts us with the reality that we stand condemned apart from divine mercy. But denying the truth doesn't change it—it only hardens the heart and seals the judgment that is to come.

Sin is more than a moral flaw—it is a debt owed to a holy and righteous God. Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Every sin—whether in thought, word, or deed—is a direct offense against God’s perfect standard. And because He is just, He cannot simply overlook or ignore sin. Forgiveness is not a matter of God sweeping sin under the rug. Justice must be satisfied.

That is where the mercy of God shines. Though we could never repay the debt of our sin, God made a way. Jesus Christ, the spotless, sinless Son of God, willingly came to bear the punishment we deserved. As Isaiah 53:5 declares, “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” On the cross, Christ bore the full weight of God’s wrath against sin. His death was not a tragedy—it was a triumph. When He cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30), the price was paid in full.

Through His resurrection, God confirmed that Christ’s sacrifice was accepted, and now forgiveness is freely offered to all who will repent and believe. As Colossians 2:13–14 says, “God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness… he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.”

This is the only hope for sinners: not denial, not self-improvement, but full surrender to the Savior. The truth is hard—but it is also glorious. For those who believe, the burden of sin is lifted, the debt is canceled, and eternal life is the gift of grace. The most hated doctrine becomes the doorway to the most precious reality—reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ.

https://e-tacklebox.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/hated-truth.mp3

As @ScottA said, welcome @bdavidc ...

You are right on; the Fear of the LORD is the beginning of Wisdom. We like to use Friendship Evangelism, but this approach delays a friend's Wisdom 'beginning'. Saint Paul said he became All things in hope to win some; sometimes Friendship Evangelism is called for; but eventually the Fear of God is required...

I don't worry about the argument that Fear is really Adoration. The Gospel allays Fear; but the Law sows the Fear of God. The Fear of God is the beginning of finding Wisdom in Believing the Gospel...

 

[Hey You!]

As @ScottA said, welcome @bdavidc ...

You are right on; the Fear of the LORD is the beginning of Wisdom. We like to use Friendship Evangelism, but this approach delays a friend's Wisdom beginning. Saint Paul said he became All things in hope to win some; sometimes Friendship Evangelism is called for; but eventually the Fear of God is required...

I don't worry about the argument that Fear is really Adoration. The Gospel allays Fear; but the Law sows the Fear of God. The Fear of God is the beginning of finding Wisdom in Believing the Gospel...

Shadow of Death ~ by ReverendRV * September 22

Psalm 23:4 KJV; Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

After Church was over on a Sunday, a family gathered into their car and started home. The Dad said, “That sure was a good Sermon today!” All agreed, but shortly the youngest spoke up about something she had heard the preacher say. “Daddy, does the shadow of death hurt?” She had a troubled look on her face, so the father thought on this so he could give a careful answer; and as he was driving down the road the answer came to him. He said, “Do you see that truck coming this way, and its shadow riding the ground in our lane?” She looked and nodded yes. “Which would you rather be run over by; the truck or its shadow?” The little girl said, ‘The shadow!’. As the truck drove by, their car passed through its shadow; and his daughter didn’t feel a thing…

Death has a 100% success rate. ~ In the beginning of the world, Adam and Eve Sinned against God and because of this, Sin and death entered into the world. People would begin to be like their first parents, rebelling against God. People began to Kill, Lie, and Steal. Sin spread like wild fire even to the point that Adam’s son Cain killed his brother Able early in history; Murder being one of the most hated Sins ever. We can agree with the Apostle Paul when he says that we do judge people who do such a Wicked thing to be guilty; don’t you agree that Murder is evil? But we may not be so quick to agree with Paul when we learn that he says ‘for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things’. You say, “How could he ever say that because I agree Cain is a Murderer, that I am a Murderer??” Jesus says that Hatred is Murder; have you ever Hated anyone? Then you are guilty of Sinning against God and are walking through the valley of death at twilight where the shadows are long, waiting for a landslide of rocks to fall from the mountain of death to kill you; sending you to Hell…

What you need is a light so the shadows can be dispelled! The Apostle Peter describes the light of the Bible this way, “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” The Bible teaches us the Gospel of the Savior. Jesus Christ is the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. But Life, eternal life, comes to men who believe that Jesus can Save them from their Sins! Jesus never Sinned but died a criminals death on a Cross as the substitutionary sacrifice to make Atonement for Sins against God. He was buried for three days but rose alive and ascended to Heaven to sit at the right hand of God. We’re Saved by the Grace of God through Faith in the risen Savior Jesus Christ, without Works lest we boast. Repent of your Sinful ways, and Confess Jesus Christ to be your Lord God. Find a Bible believing Church to help you be the best disciple you can be. ~ When Jesus is with you and death comes, the landslide will roll over you with its shadow instead of its stones. "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" Amen and amen!

Isaiah 9:2 KJV; The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

 

[bdavidc]

Welcome!

That explanation states the matter well enough within our closed, Christian circle.

Thank you for the welcome.

Yes, I agree—that’s exactly why I shared this on a Christian message board. Lately, I’ve come across more and more people in Christian spaces who deny that we owe a sin debt to God, which is deeply concerning. I wanted to see how others on this message board understand this, since Scripture is clear that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). The entire foundation of the gospel rests on the truth that Jesus paid the debt we could never repay. Thank you for your response—it's a good point, thank you.

 

[ScottA]

Thank you for the welcome.

Yes, I agree—that’s exactly why I shared this on a Christian message board. Lately, I’ve come across more and more people in Christian spaces who deny that we owe a sin debt to God, which is deeply concerning. I wanted to see how others on this message board understand this, since Scripture is clear that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). The entire foundation of the gospel rests on the truth that Jesus paid the debt we could never repay. Thank you for your response—it's a good point, thank you.

Yes, even (or especially) among the church, the common message does not penetrate the world's own armor and influence. Much of what is preached passes overhead of many, who while tucked into their own worldly life and concerns, are only comforted with a "someday" comfort of things to come. Indeed, the promises of God are a comfort, but faced with the would-be reality of this world every hour of every day, "someday" comfort is as far as it penetrates. It's as if, although comforted and believing, there is an acceptance that it all remains mostly out of reach, as something only to look forward to.

Even so, the work of the church is good. Could it be better? Sure. But things are the way they are, not because the world is so effective in thwarting the message of the gospel, but because God--who in spite of the world--is in control, and has purposed the world as it is to fulfill His own purpose of only being so effective until the end. Why? Because, only with "here a little, there a little" gains, will the message be spread equally and fully over all generations. In other words, just as Jesus could have called down a multitude of angels, but withheld, He could have wrapped up all of God's promises (except for one) before the message went out unto the gentiles--cutting us out of those same promises. But God--God had/has bigger plans that do indeed include every nation and people.

And so, this "someday" gospel dispersed to many nations by numerous interpretations and denominations--is more than a manifestation our own successes and failures, of good kings and bad, of our own miracles, wars and rumors of war--even of our own Pharisees--God is indeed working all things together for good, for those who love Him. Still.

And only in the end--as Daniel and John both gave witness--will "all truth" and "the mystery of God as He declared to His servants the prophets" be revealed. In which time the message should turn from "someday" to "today"--just as it always was. This is that time. But who among us--what preacher or teacher, has even anticipated its coming in such a way?

 

[bdavidc]

Your reflection draws attention to the tension many believers feel between the promises of God and the pressing realities of daily life. Yet, from the testimony of Scripture, we are reminded that the gospel is not merely a “someday” comfort, but a present and living truth grounded in what Christ has already accomplished. Jesus did not come only to give us future hope; He came to meet our deepest need—our sin—and to reconcile us to God now. As Paul writes in Colossians 2:14, Christ “canceled the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross.” The debt of sin isn’t merely postponed; it has been fully paid by the blood of Jesus. That is not a future promise but a finished work, and because of it, we stand justified before God today.

While it is true that the full unfolding of God’s kingdom awaits His appointed time, we must not overlook the present power of the gospel. Romans 6 reminds us that we who are in Christ are no longer slaves to sin but alive to God. The Holy Spirit, given now, is not a placeholder for something better later, but the very presence of God within us, bearing fruit and granting boldness, comfort, and conviction. The veil has been torn. The promises are not out of reach—they have reached us already in Christ.

So while God's purposes unfold in seasons, and though the world may seem to press hard against the message, the victory has already been won. God is not waiting to act—He has acted in Christ. And today, now, is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). The message isn’t one of delay, but of fulfillment. The “someday” has become “today” in Jesus, and that truth must not only be proclaimed, but embraced and lived, even as we await the final revelation of all things.

 

[ScottA]

Your reflection draws attention to the tension many believers feel between the promises of God and the pressing realities of daily life. Yet, from the testimony of Scripture, we are reminded that the gospel is not merely a “someday” comfort, but a present and living truth grounded in what Christ has already accomplished. Jesus did not come only to give us future hope; He came to meet our deepest need—our sin—and to reconcile us to God now. As Paul writes in Colossians 2:14, Christ “canceled the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross.” The debt of sin isn’t merely postponed; it has been fully paid by the blood of Jesus. That is not a future promise but a finished work, and because of it, we stand justified before God today.

While it is true that the full unfolding of God’s kingdom awaits His appointed time, we must not overlook the present power of the gospel. Romans 6 reminds us that we who are in Christ are no longer slaves to sin but alive to God. The Holy Spirit, given now, is not a placeholder for something better later, but the very presence of God within us, bearing fruit and granting boldness, comfort, and conviction. The veil has been torn. The promises are not out of reach—they have reached us already in Christ.

So while God's purposes unfold in seasons, and though the world may seem to press hard against the message, the victory has already been won. God is not waiting to act—He has acted in Christ. And today, now, is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). The message isn’t one of delay, but of fulfillment. The “someday” has become “today” in Jesus, and that truth must not only be proclaimed, but embraced and lived, even as we await the final revelation of all things.

Yes, we both (and many of us) know that all to be true, and yet if and when the "today" message is preached, it has not been greatly effective. This we can know by the takeaway, walkaway position of many who hear it--many, if not most, wanted to see their life change in greater ways than they actually did--because the world has remained much the same. From which preachers during these times of the gentiles have even taken up and preached "waiting upon the Lord"--which was first preached to those who waited for His first appearing. Many believing that message turn and likewise go back to Egypt (the world). Again, this is evident with the actions of the many, many who become the Sunday or holiday Christians, if at all.

But these are not only the failures of men, but were to be so according to the greater plan of God. We have been under restraint by He who restrains. The point being...that when He is taken out of the way--the message is no longer to be of "waiting" (upon the Lord), or as if only among fellow believers who speak the language.

PS, when replying to a comment or post, please use the "Reply" feature at the lower righthand corner of the post, so the person is alerted to your reply.

 

[bdavidc]

Yes, we both (and many of us) know that all to be true, and yet if and when the "today" message is preached, it has not been greatly effective. This we can know by the takeaway, walkaway position of many who hear it--many, if not most, wanted to see their life change in greater ways than they actually did--because the world has remained much the same. From which preachers during these times of the gentiles have even taken up and preached "waiting upon the Lord"--which was first preached to those who waited for His first appearing. Many believing that message turn and likewise go back to Egypt (the world). Again, this is evident with the actions of the many, many who become the Sunday or holiday Christians, if at all.

But these are not only the failures of men, but were to be so according to the greater plan of God. We have been under restraint by He who restrains. The point being...that when He is taken out of the way--the message is no longer to be of "waiting" (upon the Lord), or as if only among fellow believers who speak the language.

PS, when replying to a comment or post, please use the "Reply" feature at the lower righthand corner of the post, so the person is alerted to your reply.

You’ve touched on a real tension that echoes throughout Scripture and the experience of many believers: the apparent disconnect between the powerful, present reality of the gospel and the slow, often frustrating process of transformation in a fallen world. It’s true that many hear the good news and yet feel little change, slipping back into old patterns or growing weary in the wait. But this, too, is not outside of what God has revealed. Jesus spoke of seed falling on different types of soil—some springing up quickly but withering, others choked by thorns (Matthew 13). The call to perseverance has always been part of the Christian life, because the kingdom of God grows not by spectacle but by steady, sometimes hidden work (Mark 4:26–29).


You’re right that this isn't merely a human failing; there is a sovereign plan unfolding. The restraint you mentioned—likely a reference to 2 Thessalonians 2:6–7—points to a divine timetable that governs history, including seasons of spiritual dullness or resistance. Yet even in this, the command remains: “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). The gospel is not ineffective because the world is slow to change—it is powerful, but it confronts hearts that are often hard. Some will hear and fall away, but others will be changed forever.


The danger is in retreating into silence or apathy because of the visible results. The truth must still be spoken. The message is not only for the ears of believers or the curious—it is the living power of God unto salvation. The gospel, even when it seems to fall flat, is never void. God’s Word does not return empty (Isaiah 55:11), and while many may walk away, some will believe, and those who do are not just waiting—they are being transformed, even now. So we press on, not because we always see the fruit, but because we know the One who gives it.

 

[ScottA]

You’ve touched on a real tension that echoes throughout Scripture and the experience of many believers: the apparent disconnect between the powerful, present reality of the gospel and the slow, often frustrating process of transformation in a fallen world. It’s true that many hear the good news and yet feel little change, slipping back into old patterns or growing weary in the wait. But this, too, is not outside of what God has revealed. Jesus spoke of seed falling on different types of soil—some springing up quickly but withering, others choked by thorns (Matthew 13). The call to perseverance has always been part of the Christian life, because the kingdom of God grows not by spectacle but by steady, sometimes hidden work (Mark 4:26–29).


You’re right that this isn't merely a human failing; there is a sovereign plan unfolding. The restraint you mentioned—likely a reference to 2 Thessalonians 2:6–7—points to a divine timetable that governs history, including seasons of spiritual dullness or resistance. Yet even in this, the command remains: “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). The gospel is not ineffective because the world is slow to change—it is powerful, but it confronts hearts that are often hard. Some will hear and fall away, but others will be changed forever.


The danger is in retreating into silence or apathy because of the visible results. The truth must still be spoken. The message is not only for the ears of believers or the curious—it is the living power of God unto salvation. The gospel, even when it seems to fall flat, is never void. God’s Word does not return empty (Isaiah 55:11), and while many may walk away, some will believe, and those who do are not just waiting—they are being transformed, even now. So we press on, not because we always see the fruit, but because we know the One who gives it.

The reason I initially replied to your Original Post question: "Why is this message so offensive?" (For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God)...is because for the past 2,000 years we gentiles and Christians have been inside our own inner court, so to speak. And just as when Jesus first came the Shepherd was struck and the sheep scattered, we too have been scattered. This is the frustration that causes a question like that.

Thus, "lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold" has come to its climax. So, for a long time now "pride" was indeed the reason why people were offended. But now it is more a matter of self defense. We have come to a point of squaring off in our corners and holding our ground--not so much because it is right, but because it is so ingrained in us to do so. This is our season of legalism and lockstep, regardless of our beliefs. Whatever our thing is, that is the thing we stand and fight for--whatever it is! And this is the way it is both within the church, and without.

Meanwhile, just as those similar times experienced by Israel were times of great change--we too are now on the precipice of even greater change.

Be prepared to be shaken.