Reading: Micah 3; Romans 10:5-21
Unveiling the sins of God’s people. Preaching about sin. Admonition. That is something, that is not very popular. Many don’t want to hear it. It is so important that others have a positive opinion about us, that they see that we are good; it is so important that we are better than others; we will do all that we can, to make ourselves look great in the eyes of others.
Peer pressure can be devastating for the lives of so many. For young people. But peer pressure also plays a terribly important role in the lives of adults. Maybe in a different way, but in fact, it is the same peer pressure. And peer pressure, that is not only that we don’t want others to see our weaknesses, but that is also that we don’t want to talk to others about their sins. What if they don’t like us? What if they don’t accept it from us?
That is exactly what those false prophets in Micah’s time did as well. They only told the people what they wanted to hear. They wanted to be the popular guys in those days. The ones who were liked by everybody.
Our time is not much different. Only the true preaching of the Word of God shows us our real human nature, our sinfulness. The Spirit of God only can open our eyes for our sins and convince us of God’s justice. If the Word of God is not being preached anymore, not in its fullness, then sins get covered up, then we don’t want to talk about our sins anymore, then we don’t admonish each other anymore. And if there is no knowledge of our sin and misery anymore, then there will be no true knowledge of our salvation either.
Paul wrote about it in Romans 10, how the preaching of the Word of God only can work faith, but also how Israel rejected this preaching in the time of the OT. Paul quotes several texts from Isaiah, who prophesied during the same time as Micah. Romans 10:21: But of Israel, he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.
The preaching of God’s Word WILL cause resistance. Also within the church, we can expect resistance to the Word of God. People will try to find all kinds of reasons, for not having to listen to God’s Word and dismissing it as not being applicable to them. Resistance to the Word of God, also and even more if it comes to us through brothers and sisters or even the office bearers admonishing us. It is God’s intention with showing us our sins, that we repent from our sins and confess them and be saved. Not to humiliate us, but to humble us, so that we receive forgiveness and God’s grace.
The Word of God, the true preaching of God’s Word, that makes us so rich. It is so full of comfort, it speaks about peace if we believe it. But the Word of God, it also condemns and announces God’s wrath and punishment to those who reject it. God is faithful, and His Word will never be broken. Everywhere where God’s Word is proclaimed the Holy Spirit works. And when the Word of God is being proclaimed, then it comes with power. The power, not of the preacher, but of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God.
Key Text: Romans 10:14: How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
Meditation: Romans 10:14 shows how important it is that we hear the full and pure Word of God being proclaimed. Our salvation depends on it. How do we make sure that our ministers preach the pure Word of God, and not what our ‘itching ears’ want to hear?