The Bible: An Inconvenient Truth?

God’s Word is many things: truth, power, healing, hope, the way of salvation–it is alive. But is the Bible inconvenient? Consider Paul’s words to Timothy:

Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching. 

It would seem that Paul is addressing those who preach the Word in 2 Timothy 4:2, but all believers must share the Word with others. And it will be, at times, all of the above: both favorable and unfavorable, welcome, unwelcome, convenient–and inconvenient.

What makes God’s Word inconvenient? Than answer to that is in the heart of the receiver. When one’s life is governed by wrong choices, rebuking and correction are not welcome, warning and urging can be met with a dismissive attitude. But the believer must continue to patiently teach people , placed on their path by God,  showing them their wrongs. It must be done in love, after we have examined ourselves with a sober mind. Often, we find it inconvenient when an opportunity arises to speak the truth. We don’t want to cause offense or make someone angry with us.

It helps to remember that part of loving one another God’s Way is speaking the truth to one another in love. There will be times when the truth of the Bible will be inconvenient to share with another. It is then that we must rely on God’s Holy Spirit to give us the wisdom and even the courage to speak the truth.

Paul was no stranger to speaking the truth, even when it cost him time in prison and abuse at the hands of the hearers. Yet he obeyed his God and spoke the Word to those he ministered to, trusting the outcome to God. How can we do less?

Have you experienced resistance or rejection when sharing the truth with another? How can you strengthen your commitment to the truth, while showing Christian love in the process?