Who will listen?

In Bible college I had one class where an assigned mentor gave me specific books to read and discuss. One of them was about ‘doing theology’ in the sense that every generation must form a way to say the truths of God without distorting them. That is, they must remain true but still make sense to the people of their time.

Some of this could be a challenge. For instance, a great deal of our population communicates using text shorthand. LOL is not in the Bible, but I’m sure that putting John 3:16 into the current shorthand used in texting would mean a loss in meaning to the recipient!

Tozer’s devotional points out the problems with doing theology in any age. He says two errors are current regarding old things; everything old is good and everything new is bad.

One of my relatives is in that camp. He only recently got a computer and uses it strictly for email, a new thing for him, but outdated for many others. In his mind, there is no way computers have any value and he would never be caught texting on his phone.

Yet in many cases the opposite has happened regarding the things of God. Many people consider the Bible an ‘old book’ without value and Christian living is ‘old fashioned’ and certainly those who live according to the word of God are ‘not with it’ and are ‘out of date’ to use some of the polite language.

This morning I’m looking at a passage that says this is not a recent notion. Several hundred years before Christ, people had the same difficulty. The Lord said to them:

“Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not pay attention.’ Therefore hear, O nations, and know, O congregation, what will happen to them. Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people, the fruit of their devices, because they have not paid attention to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it.” (Jeremiah 6:16–19)

Were they hung up on the belief that old ideas thwart progress and discourage creativity? Or was their problem with the ideas themselves, not that they were ‘old’ but the people simply didn’t want to obey God?

The problem with obeying God remains, even though the forms have changed. Back then, the people wanted to look good so they offered sacrifices and attended worship services, but they were hypocrites at heart. Today, many people have no desire to appear godly. They would rather be what they are (self-centered) without naming what they are doing the way God names it (sin). They do not care about being in right relationship with Him, only about being and doing whatever they desire.

This presents a huge problem to those who know the Lord through faith. How can I present the truths of God to a generation that thinks He does not exist? To those who dismiss the Bible as a man-written old book? To those who think that Christians are fools if they live for Christ instead of doing whatever is profitable for themselves?

Tozer says he would like to see people committed to the everlasting truth as God gave it in the inspiration of Scripture and the faith of our fathers, so much so that going backward is not possible and so they can present truth in an imaginative way for our time.

He raises the question in my mind: Do people still respond to godliness? Does anyone care if someone is able to discern good from evil? Do they take notice of those who serve others without personal gain? Do they listen with interest to someone who speaks truth that challenges their ideas? Do they care if generous people take care of the needy or if someone shows compassion when others suffer loss? Do they respond If someone points to an everlasting and loving God in an effort encourage them when they are down and out?

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Jesus, I know Your truth is eternal. It isn’t about the times or the culture but it is about how we communicate. Please help me become a better communicator. Help me speak the ancient truth in words and actions that touch the hearts of those who need it — even if they do not respond. Jeremiah dared to speak up, risking his very life — even though You told him no one would listen. That kind of commitment takes courage, a courage that only You can provide. Nevertheless, I would like to see Your truth rise above time and affect a culture that is sinking lower and lower.