You Mad?

John 8:45
And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

Jesus was having a very hard conversation with these people. He was trying to show them the error of their ways. Jesus told them that they could not see the truth because they were blinded by their sins. He said that if they would listen to the truth that it could set them free but because they wouldn't listen they had become angry with Jesus. 

Isn't it just like us to get angry with people when they tell us the truth? It is probably because we know that it's the truth. You see people lie everyday just to make others happy. Husband's tell their wives, "Yes, you look great" only because they want them to hurry. Wives tell their husbands, "No that shirt isn't tight." What happens when you actually tell them that they couldn't possibly be ready yet or that the shirt isn't tight but that it's their belly poking out? We get angry because of the truth.

The truth brings us to an action to do right or do the right thing. This is why the people hated Jesus. When He spoke the truth, it caused the people to see themselves in light of what God sees. They saw their flaws and sins. The truth revealed their wrongs and their wrongs brought them to repentance or rejection. In this case the people rejected Jesus and notice how they turned the tables. They said Jesus must have a devil in Him. 

One of the funny things in the life of a preacher is that when truth is read or spoken from God's Word people will either respond in repentance or rejection. They will either trust that God sent them help for their lives or they will completely reject it and turn their anger toward the messenger. You ask how I would know this? Let me just say that I know it all too well. So can I remind you today that when you speak truth, let it first be filled with love and lastly be finished in grace. Speak the truth as though you are speaking it to yourself and then leave it alone. Some will repent, some will reject but all will respond.