I once officiated at the funeral of a biker whose friends asked the funeral director, "Just find some preacher for the service." The church parking lot was filled with as many motorcycles and pickups as the fifty or sixty attendees. I gently told them the Gospel of our loving Lord Jesus, and His acceptance of all who came to Him in faith. At the reception afterwards, not one person spoke to me save a fellow who walked over and said, "Your zipper's open." Not the truth I expected!
Another time came after singing at a jam session with a bunch of old timers who played and sang like they were born with their instruments in hand. I thought I'd done a pretty good job singing, "I'll Fly Away," but the only comment I got was, "Your guitar needs tuning." Again, not the truth I expected.
Such unexpected truths may not be what we want to hear, but they can help us do better next time. If a person works in public, he can expect feedback that won't always be positive, despite its truthfulness. Writers periodically get criticized for content or a few typos, and though this may sting, it is what is needed. How we react to criticism, however, can determine maturity and strength. My reactions sometimes show I have neither.
Those who criticize should make their remarks helpful, not merely critical. I doubt either the biker or the old guitar picker wanted to be hurtful - they just told the truth. Some critics seem to glory in pointing out mistakes, and they may prove true the adage: "Some are workers and others are just critics." But both need each other, despite how each is perceived.
Jesus was gentle with most people, yet harsh with those who should have known better. His strong comments to the Pharisees and occasionally His own disciples came because they needed to jarred from their entrenched ways of thinking. Calling them "hypocrites" was a stinging rebuke to those who were unwilling to change.
Jesus once said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32). He didn't come into this world to be picky, but to fulfill the eternal plan of God's forgiveness. His road to Calvary was for our salvation. He came to show us the way of God's accepting mercy, not old rules. What He said and did for all was meant to help, not hurt.
When we trust our Good Lord for all things, we will be gently blessed. When we realize what He has done for us, it will soften those given or received truths so that they can benefit everyone the most.
How can you show His love to others today?
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