We Must Love The Truth
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night." (Ps. 1:1,2.)
The attitude people have toward the word of the Lord is indicative of the kind of life they are living. A proper attitude toward God's word guarantees obedience to his will now and eternity with him hereafter. While our Lord was on the earth "the common people heard him gladly", "multitudes" pressed together to hear him. But at the same time the chief men of the Jews were seeking ways to destroy him, because too many people were hearing him to suit them, and too, they did not like what he was saying.
People who love the truth have the attitude of Cornelius: "Now therefore we are all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God." (Acts 10:33.) They had come together for the purpose of hearing all that the Lord had to say to them through the mouth of Peter. The opposite of this attitude, both in the saved and the unsaved, has caused many to turn aside into sin, and despise the man who tried to tell them the truth. For all this they shall answer some day.
There is no sense in becoming angry with the preacher when you receive the warning of spiritual danger. You may persecute him and revile him, you may engage in slander and name calling: but truth remains the same. When the alarm clock wakes you at six o'clock in the morning, you can silence it by throwing it out the window, but it will still be time to get up. You cannot change the truth by ignoring it or fighting against it. You may try to forget that you have a soul, that Jesus died for you, and that he has a church of which you should be a member; or faithful if you are a member. You may spurn all thought of the judgment, but that will not delay the day a single moment. It simply means that you will go to the judgment unprepared.
The word of the Lord cuts, convicts and converts the sinner. It sanctifies, edifies and satisfies the Christian. It glorifies God, Christ and the Holy Spirit. Let us preach the word, hear the word, obey the word and practice the word.