An Arabic Proverb

All sunshine makes a desert. The eternal God, whom we serve, knew that long before men "...for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45). God sends both sunshine and rain, there must be a balance.

Is it possible that in spiritual matters some brethren do not understand this principle? Many seem to think they should be able to go to worship feeling good and leave worship feeling good. The "spiritual fur" must always be rubbed the right way.

Is it possible that some preachers feel it ought to be that way? When preachers always know how to approach every subject in a way that will never make anyone unhappy or when they never deal with subjects on which there are differing positions, one wonders.

How did the Holy Spirit view this matter? The young preacher, Timothy, was commanded, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine..." (II Timothy 4:2,3a). The Holy Spirit wants a balance in preaching -- reproving, rebuking, and exhorting.

While we do not want any preacher to be a wet blanket, we are thankful that some preachers believe All sunshine makes a desert. --Glenn Melton

"But speaking the truth in love...I am set for the defence of the gospel" (Ephesians 4:15; Philippians 1:7). "As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus...that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine" (I Timothy 1:3). "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly...some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils...If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. But refuse profane and old wives' tales, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness...Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee" (I Timothy 4:1,6,7,16). "...earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3). "Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God" (II John 9a). "Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith" (Titus 1:13b). "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man" (Colossians 4:6). - Glenn Melton

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Last Revised: Tuesday, December 28, 1999