[This is a true account. I haven't met this man personally, but I've heard enough about him to feel the liberty and even the need to set forth the caution which follows. Names have been changed to protect the innocent.]
Jerry Thack is a street preacher. Unlike some of us, he wasn't complacent about Christianity before he met the Lord Jesus Christ. He hated Christians and didn't mind saying so. But after he met the Lord personally, he became the sort of Christian it's not easy to be around, because he's constantly talking about God. We all go through that phase when we're first saved--when all we can talk about is God--but Jerry never got over it. That could be a good thing, but it's the sorts of things he says and does which are irksome, and some wonder if he's harming the cause of Christ rather than drawing people to the Lord.
We all know people like Jerry and try to avoid them. Pushy, preachy, judgmental, intolerant, and always telling other people how they should live their lives--especially other Christians! Jerry can tell an unbeliever how to get saved, but he spends an inordinate amount of time demanding of the people he encounters--even other Christians--that they repent! He talks about the love of God, but it seems like he focuses more on hard-hitting issues--righteous living, obeying God's commandments. Jerry even tells people how they should conduct their marriages, how they should raise their children, what kinds of clothes they should wear, and even what length their hair should be!1 I guess he's the sort of Christian God allows in our lives so we can learn patience and longsuffering...and just plainly how to love a brother in Christ who's offensive to us.
Jerry has also been known to find something wrong with the teachings of other preachers--even and especially the ones who are well-known or with large followings. Not always content to go quietly to those men, He exposes their errors, and sometimes even tells other Believers to stay away from them! I've been told, and the source was 100% reliable, that Jerry even publicly corrected one of the most famous Christian men ever known.2
He also says many people are just looking for a preacher who will tell them what they want to hear. Well, who likes someone else telling them they need to make changes in their life?
Jerry is one of those men who simply isn't in step with the turn of the century in the Church. This is the age of ecumenism and tolerance. There are many paths to God! That I've heard from two of the most prominent "Christian leaders" of our time. Jerry is stuck in Bible times--in a different culture, a different belief system. Today, we know that all men who profess to believe in God and Jesus are our brothers and sisters and are going to heaven--we've heard it straight from the mouths of some of the most heralded religious leaders known to the world. It's easy to despise people like Jerry. They name names (we know that as "gossip" and "causing divisions in the Body of Christ"); they tell other people what to do or how to live their lives; they're constantly quoting Scriptures; they make everyone uncomfortable. They're plainly and simply unpleasant people to be around. They break from the form of today's society--inside and outside the Church. Who, after all, do they think they are?
Are you getting the picture? This man is trouble, and I'm certain he will one day receive his just reward. He will receive his just reward.
You're probably several steps ahead of me, but it was a fun write. Of course Jerry Thack isn't "Jerry Thack". He's the Apostle Paul. And he's with the Lord. He's no longer here saying what God says. He did say it though. We all know God used Paul in a mighty way for the furtherance of His Kingdom. And when Paul bid farewell for the final time to the Ephesians (Acts 20), he reminded them how he had warned them every day, through tears, for the space of 3 years...that there would be those who would come among them to draw them away from the truth. So soon after the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. So sad.
Yet there are also men today who will declare unto us all the counsel of God. And there are men and women today who still despise what God used Paul to say. Let's thank God that He used Paul to give us part of His Word, and let's especially thank Him that there are leaders in the Church today who are sold-out to the Gospel of Jesus Christ--all of it. The Gospel which was written for all time...even the 21st Century.
And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing from you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ...Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. (Acts 20:17-21; 26-32)
(From the First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians)
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
(I Thessalonians 5:16-24)
1 Contained within many passages and verses of The New Testament
2 Galatians 2:11-14 (See also Eph 5:11; II John 9:11; Rom 16:17, 18)
Jesus
The Bible Online KJV Spoken Here
Living for Jesus Our Daily BreadAlone Chat Committed Crowned with Silver
Free to SIN? Freedom Hollywood Homeschooling
A Horrid Man Modesty Modest Apparel
My Dad My Testimony
Religious Psychology Self-Esteem
Teatime Television Tolerance What about Music?
"Here to Comfort You"
Original Composition by Bruce DeBoer ©2000, Used by Permission
