You Cannot Win Them All

Good Morning,

Inside most of us is the desire to fit in, to be accepted, and to be liked.  Yet, truth will draw lines that not only threaten our “favorability rating,” but also can cause serious division. 

Notice a few lessons from John 7:

1. Some wanted Him dead.

vs. 1 “After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.”

2. Our Lord had family members that did not believe His teaching.  

vs. 5 “For neither did his brethren believe in him.”

3. The perfect Son of God brought division among people; some thought He was a deceiver.  

vs. 12 “And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.” 

Any Bible reader can come up with more passages like these.  Jesus was not well received by all: some loved Him; many hated Him, and others were doubtful of Him.

Allow me to offer a few quick thoughts as we consider the perfect Son of God and His teaching.  

1. Do not expect everyone to like you.

2. Do not expect everyone to like your beliefs, personally or in the pulpit.

3. Do not think that a proper attitude and presentation of truth will always be received.

4. Do not change your belief in hopes of getting people to like you.

Here are a few mistakes some people make:

1. It is a mistake to try to mold your belief so people will like you.

2. It is a mistake to change what you preach so that more people will attend your church.

3. It is a mistake to think that when people accuse or slander you, that you did something wrong.

Proverbs 23:23 “Buy the truth, and sell it not…”

We are to BUY the truth.  That means it will cost us something.  That means those who do not buy it, do not have the truth.  We have the colloquialism here in our country, when someone does not agree with what they are hearing, they might say, “I don’t buy that.”

If being popular or accepted, or finding no friction with church members is your motivating factor, you will have to constantly change your belief.  It is easier to just figure out what you believe and stay there, in fellowship with the Saviour who was also disliked.

Pastor