Speaking the truth

He sent prophets to them, . . . but they would not listen.    — 2 Chronicles 24:19

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is a respected smalltown lawyer in the segregated South during the 1930s. When he takes on a case that pits an innocent black man against two dishonest white people, Atticus knows he will face terrible prejudice from the jury. But his conscience compels him to speak the truth boldly in the face of opposition.

The Old Testament prophets were often sent to preach the truth to a stubborn people. “[God] sent prophets to them, to bring them back to the Lord; and they testified against them, but they would not listen” (2 Chron. 24:19). Their message often resulted in persecution and sometimes even death (Heb. 11:32-38).

During Christ’s ministry on earth, His message also resulted in angry opposition (Luke 4:21-30). Yet, in the sovereignty of God, the terrible miscarriage of justice that sentenced Jesus to death on the cross purchased our redemption.

Now, as representatives of the risen Christ in this world, we are to promote reconciliation, justice, and integrity (Mic. 6:8; 2 Cor. 5:18-21). And in so doing, this may mean speaking the truth in the face of opposition. This is the charge to every believer until that day when Christ sets all things right (Rev. 20:11-15).   — Dennis Fisher

The life that counts must toil and fight,

Must hate the wrong and love the right;

Must stand for truth, by day, by night —

This is the life that counts. — Anon.

READ: 2 Chron. 24:15-22

It’s better to declare the truth and be rejected than to withhold the truth just to be accepted.

The Bible in one year:

• Judges 13-15

• Luke 6:27-49