Speak the Truth, No Matter What

January 11

(Luke 3:19-20 NIV) “But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and all the other evil things he had done, {20} Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.”

(Acts 4:16-20 NIV) ““What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. {17} But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name." {18} Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. {19} But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. {20} For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.””

Herod had taken his brother’s wife, and was openly sleeping with her. John fearlessly called him out, rebuking him for his sin. John did what so many today will not do. He called it as he saw it. His honesty cost him his freedom, and ultimately, his life. How many of us today are willing to stand up and speak the truth when it’s unpopular or dangerous? The position of many Christians today is, “Be polite. Don’t rock the boat. Be nice people. Do nice things. Don’t judge.” Those who do speak the truth are labeled bible thumpers, hypocrites, and haters. They are put down, marginalized, fired from their jobs, and sometimes even killed. But we’re called to speak the truth anyway. We’re called to confront even the Herods of our day. Our job is not to be popular or to grow the largest church in our city. Our job is to speak the truth, no matter what. Can you do that? Will you do that? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day