1 Kings 18:17-18 When he/(Ahab) saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?” “I have not made trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “But you and your father’s family have. You have abandoned the Lord’s commands and have followed the Baals.
“Sore Thumb sticks out.”
The root of mockery and dissension springs from arrogance and pride. The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name— behaves with insolent fury (Proverbs 21:24). Rebellion, envy and pride can blind the eyes of a person to the truth of the Gospel.
Elijah was a radical and dynamic prophet but King Ahab addressed him as a “trouble maker”. Elijah spoke the truth emphatically. He reprimanded the rebellious king and his idolatrous queen for committing adultery with foreign gods; hence Elijah stood out like a sore thumb.
Jesus came as the “New Testament Elijah” to the Pharisees who were steeped in traditionalism but failed to see the truth. All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons” (Matthew 27:23-24).They accused the healing and redeeming power of Christ as demonic. What stunned the crowd with awe stood out like a sore thumb to the Pharisees!
So, don’t be surprised if you are misunderstood, mistreated or misused when you stand up for Christ. Even the early Christians were accused of people who turned the world upside down. “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here” (Acts 17:6b). Stand up like a sore thumb and turn the world right side up.
Stand Out:
1. Legalistic: Being judgemental and self-righteousness will not spread the aroma of Christ to the stinking world. Legalism condemns the sinner but the Gospel teaches us to love the sinner and condemn sin.
2. Lucid: It is important to be lucid and clear in drawing your line between right and wrong, but it must be done with clear communication and courteous words.
3. Love: Our conversations must be full of grace and seasoned with love to attract the broken, bruised and bound to the saving grace.
Stand up for the Gospel Truth – clothed in love.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to take my stand for you but do it with gentleness and kindness. Amen.
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