The doctor’s waiting room is full of people who are anxious about their health. For some, their stress and discomfort are obvious. Some sit with no expression of concern on their face, but within are fears and dread of the news the doctor may bring them. From children with their parents to those older who await the doctor’s prognosis, all anticipate the doctor’s words.
As you wait to see the doctor you are anxious to know what lies ahead for you. What will you hear? What conditions will be discovered? Will there be surgical procedures? Will medication take care of your ailment, or will more invasive methods be required? What do you want the doctor to tell you? Do you want the truth…all of it? Or do you want the doctor to soften the diagnosis to allay your fears? Would you prefer to hear the truth about your health so you could fight the disease in your body? Or would you prefer to remain in ignorance?
Change the scene. It’s not the doctor’s office. Now you are sitting in your usual pew in an assembly of God’s people. The preacher is ready to begin his sermon, and his topic has been announced. Perhaps there are some issues in your life that cause you to be concerned about what you may hear. Should the preacher soften his words in regard to your issues, telling you “everything is all right,” though they are not “all right”? (Preachers all over the land are doing just that, and they will be accountable to God.) Or do you want him to address those issues and give you the biblical remedy for your soul?
In both scenes the issue is whether you really want to hear the truth – or prefer something that merely ignores your true condition. Most of us would say that we want to hear the truth, to know what our problems are and how to resolve them. If the doctor tells us of a serious problem that can be solved by a simple procedure, would we not willingly listen, being thankful to the doctor for his efforts on our behalf? If medication were necessary the doctor would not hide that information from you. If he did he could be held responsible by law.
When the apostle Paul met with the Ephesian elders, as recorded in Acts 20:17-38, he told them he had taught them everything they needed to know, and therefore he was “pure from the blood of all men.” He had made them aware of all things God wanted them to know, and he was therefore no longer responsible if they refused to live accordingly.
How could Paul know that he had done all he could do for them? Just as our doctor told us of his findings regarding our physical health, Paul had been honest and forthright in dealing with his brethren and friends in Ephesus. Note what Paul said made him “pure from the blood of all men”:
“…I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God”, Acts 20:20, 27 (ASV).
Laws make certain individuals responsible for personal information. Your bank must inform you correctly of your balance. Your attorney must reveal to you all you need to know regarding various legal transactions so you can act responsibly.
Those are legal responsibilities, but there are also spiritual responsibilities. For those of us who preach, God says we, like Paul, must preach “the whole counsel of God,” we must provide all of God’s truth to those who hear us preach. We must not hold back any information that is needed by the people. If life changes must be made, just like the doctor’s medication, it would be irresponsible for us to withhold that information. It would put us in the position of being partly responsible for the consequences of that one under consideration.
What if we don’t like the diagnosis of the doctor? Go to another doctor? What if we receive the information but refuse to act accordingly? At that point, as hearers we are responsible for our actions, seeing we have the information needed, yet refuse to act in accord with it, Ezekiel 3:17-21.
What if the preacher or teacher follows the example of Paul, telling us all we need to know concerning our spiritual health, but we ignore the required “prescription”? We then stand in danger of losing our soul.
Go back again to the doctor’s office. Don’t you want him/her to inform you of the true status of your health and any needed treatment? Why not be even more ready to hear God’s diagnosis and remedy for your spiritual health? Your response may have eternal ramifications, Matthew 10:28.
Listen to your doctor.
Listen to the Bible!
