In the Church today, messages about love or grace flood the sanctuary. These are not foreign concepts and in fact, many unbelievers agree with the command to love and with God's forgiveness towards us. That being said, when someone ushers in the concept of truth, everyone goes nuts. Why?
For one thing, truth makes people uncomfortable. Undoubtedly, many of you are shifting in your seats as you read this. Truth is uncomfortable because it evokes change. It requires that we lay down sinful pleasures for the sake of following Christ. Truth tells us we are wrong or in need of refinement. And that is something most of us, even those of us who believe, do not like to hear in a world consumed with seeking pleasure and taking the easy route. Truth rubs against the grain, which brings us to point #2.
Truth is not only uncomfortable; it is unpopular. You never see a commercial where a smiling man is being beaten for the sake of Christ. Suffering is hard! And we tend to abandon difficult things. Everyone desires some form of euphoria to fill the void. Meanwhile Christ, who is the only Way and the only Truth (John 14:6), is rejected, since truly following Him means enduring hardship and persecution. Why do you think Jesus says in Luke 14:28 to count the cost? Following Him means paying a price and a dusty Bible spirituality will not cut it.
Because people are obsessed with popularity and pleasure, truth does not appeal to them. Thus, truth remains uncomfortable and unpopular, but it also causes life to mean something. Culture will tell you to go out and do whatever "feels good." But Jesus says, "pick up your cross daily and follow Me. (Matthew 16:24) Go and make disciples! (Matthew 28:19) Be holy because I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16, Leviticus 20:26) Meanwhile, the disciples of Yolo are lost in a carnival of emotions, gradually wasting away. When you're living for the Truth, your life will conform more and more to the likeness of Christ. In the secular realm, you will live for yourself. Truth ignites a spirit of eternity, whereas the world broadcasts a life in the now that will not last.
True believers die for standing up for the cross. When you stand for truth, consider yourself rejected by men because men rejected Christ. The way of truth will lead you down a difficult road, but the reward is eternity with Jesus. You can choose the easy route, but it will only produce emptiness and destruction. Fill yourself with the Truth of the Gospel or accept the "soul drugs" the world offers for relief. But choose wisely. Only one path will save you and make you whole.
