2/13/08 - Life Journal - Their Blood's on My Hands


Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

Acts 20:26,27


Through all the persecutions, stonings, imprisonments, ship-wrecks, constant travels, etc., Paul spoke the Word of God. The whole word of God. He never minced any words. Never dumbed down the message. Never sweetened it up. And above all He never backed down. Worry about offending someone? Are you kidding me? He knew the message he was entrusted with was a matter of life and death and he spoke it. He also knew that he could go into His rest with a clean conscious, his part was done.

Can I say the same? I'm new at this mission so I haven't had many direct confrontations from anyone but how will I react? What would I say if a family member asked if I thought they were going to hell? A co-worker? A seeker at church? Could I handle the risk of alienating someone I love for ever by speaking the truth? I guess the answer is wrapped up in the question. If I love them how can I not?

Father, this is a tough one and I'll honestly say that I'm not looking forward to confrontations like this. Give me strength. I shouldn't allow them to ignorantly continue seperated from you anymore than I would let them jump off a bridge. Both lead to death and do I want their blood on my hands?

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2 comments:

Drummer Chris said...

From Your Wife,

I am so proud of you and love you so very much!!!

Pastor Jim Holm said...

Hi Chris. This is Jim Holm from New Hope in Salem. I was a fellow Life Journal poster until recently. You posted a comment on my site and asked where I've been, if I'm okay.
Thanks for your concern!
We have discontinued the church blog on blogger because of its open avenues to pornographic blogs. I had people on numerous occasions tell me that they went to my blog, clicked on the 'next blog' link and ended up where they didn't want to be. I won't be blogging anymore until we can host our own and eliminate that danger. As a pastor, I feel pretty responsible for the links from our church site.
Keep doing what you're doing. I love the way you're making God's Word so real. Thanks for your insights.
- Jim Holm