A Tale of Two
PreachersAuthor of
The Church of the
Comfortable and Tolerant
A friend of mine
once pointed out that we are supposed to be peace-makers, not
peace-keepers. I have thoughts on that for quite some time now and have
come to more deeply realize the difference between the two.A peace keeper seeks to make sure that there is peace between him and
other men. He wants to be loved and spoken well of by all men. A peace
maker seeks to make sure that there is peace between God and other men.
He wants God to be loved and spoken well of by all men.A peace keeper outwardly says he loves people.
A peace maker outwardly shows that he loves people.A peace keeper gives false peace.
A peace maker gives true peace.A peace keeper is motivated by the fear of man.
A peace maker is motivated by the fear of God.A peace keeper pleases man
A peace maker pleases God.In seeking to be a peace keeper, we fail to be a peace maker. Man has
set himself up against His creator and we are called to reconcile the
world back to Him through Jesus Christ. However with this great calling
comes a great cost and we will experience the same rejection that the
Lord Jesus Christ experienced. Should we be accepted by the world that
rejected Christ? Or in the words of an old hymn “is
this vile world a friend of grace, to help me on to God“.A peace keeper will tell people everything that they want to hear. They
will speak ONLY on the blessing and love of God. But will never talk
about sin, repentance, holiness, or the other aspects of God like His
anger and His wrath. “They are of the world. Therefore they speak as the
world, and the world hears them.” 1 John 4:5. However a peace maker will
speak those things which are necessary for bringing man back into a
right relationship with God.A peace keeper, also termed in the bible as a false teacher, is loved by
the multitudes. They have many followers and deceive many. Everyone
always has nothing but nice things to say about them. “Woe unto you,
when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the
false prophets.” Luke 6:26. However a peace maker is kicked out of the
synagogues and attempts are made on his life, because he calls men to
reform their lives by repenting of their sins, because without
repentance there is no peace with God.A peace keeper is much like the false prophets in the book of Jeremiah.
The false prophets told the rebellious nation that they didn’t need to
turn back to God, because nothing but good times was ahead for them.
These false prophets told the rebellious nation that God was pleased
with them and smiling upon them. False teachers and false prophets only
tell you what you want to hear, that which is pleasing and smooth. They
said “peace, peace! When there is no peace” ( Jer. 8:11) They give a
false comfort of peace, and outwardly appear to care for men, but
inwardly are truly only caring for themselves.Much like those who
only say to sinners “God loves you, God loves you” (which is true) but
fail to talk about repentance, and for that reason they strengthen the
hands that sinners have on their sins, because they feel that they are
acceptable to God even while they are in their sins. A false teacher is
always politically correct, and a true preacher is always prophetically
correct. Jeremiahs message was not “peace, peace”, he said himself “I
shouted, ‘violence and plunder” and called them all to repent lest they
be taken captive into Babylon for their sins. ( Jer 20:8). This is much
like those who shout today “repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at
hand” lest sinners be taken captive entirely by their sins to hell. And
they receive the same welcome Jeremiah received, “everyone mocks me.” (Jer.
20:7). But it was Jeremiah, not the false prophets, who truly cared and
loved the people. Unfortunately nobody listened to Jeremiah and he saw
no converts. But praises be to God that we do see converts today!So here is the point of it all. The world is abiding under the wrath and
anger of a holy God; we have the solution that can bring them back into
a right standing and right relationship with God, which is Jesus Christ
if they turn from all their sin. So here is the deal guys, “Go into all
the world, and preach the gospel to every creature”. (Mark 16:15)
Read Jesse
Morrell’s amazing testimony:
Guilty as ChargedLearn more
about Jesse and
the ministry God has given him at his website:
http://www.newenglandoutreach.com/main2.htmlCopyright by
Jesse Morrell. Posted with permission.
