Embracing the Stigma of the Whole Counsel of God

One of the most interesting things that I’ve read in the Gospels has been Matthew 13:11 where Jesus reveals that He spoke in parables to conceal truth.  

This flies in the face of the approach that we rightly come to from meditating on the call to go into the earth and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). We rightly believe in the reality of Hell and as such we try to win every soul possible. This approach and call is Biblical and right and it is how we should seek to live in this world.  

But while it’s true that seeking to win souls is the way God wants us to live it’s also true that He is regularly orchestrating circumstances that conceal truth from those who aren’t hungry enough to hear it.  

According to Jesus, stumbling blocks (Matthew 18:7) are a necessary reality of the world He created. And the same God who has obsessive longing to find the lost (Luke 15:8-10) also purposefully offended all but 12 of His disciples by calling them to canabalism and offering very little explanation as to what He was actually saying (John 6:22-71).  

As such there will be something that every generation and even every individual can point to that would cause them not to seek after God. And while these stumbling blocks are not initiated by God it remains true that He has allowed space for them in creation and even states they are necessary.  

With Jesus the Pharisees stumbled over what He said about the Sabbath (Mark 3:1-6) and that His disciples didn't wash their hands the right way (Matthew 15:1-12). With Paul they stumbled over the Cross (Galatians 5:11) and circumcision (Galatians 6:12).  At Mars Hill they were offended by the Resurrection (Acts 17:32).  Philosophers called the message "foolish" (1 Corinthians 1:18) and wicked men hated the light (John 3:20).  

Ultimately we partner with God with this when we embrace the stigma of the Gospel and preach even the points that are offensive to our culture. We combine this with an approach that speaks the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and seeks to be all things to all people (1 Corinthians 9:19-22). In doing so we try to present the whole council of God (Acts 20:27) while not creating an unnecessary cause for offense (Matthew 18:6-7). When we do this well the Truth is spoken. It’s spoken in a culturally sensitive and compassionate way but it is still spoken and spoken in its entirety.  

As such by not compromising or being quiet about the offensive points we parter with God in pushing out those who aren’t hungry while calling in those who care enough to get past the offenses of their time.  

Help is to be faithful to Your Word oh Lord