Day 23: That we would receive the whole counsel of God’s Word
Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20:26-27 ESV)
Paul could have easily said, “I declared to you the whole counsel of God’s Word” but he didn’t. He added, “I did not shrink from”. This implies that there is a real temptation for preachers to shrink from declaring the whole counsel of God. There are parts of Scripture which are uncomfortable to hear—and therefore they are uncomfortable to preach. But the faithful minister will not shrink from this task. He’ll stand before the people and declare, “Thus says the Lord” even if he knows it is going to step on some toes.
There is also, I believe, an admonishment in this text for listeners. When we are sitting under the preaching of the Word of God we should be hungry for the Word. We should not be satisfied with shrinking preachers. In fact we should work to cultivate such an environment in our churches where the pastor feels it his joyful duty to preach the whole counsel of God’s Word and not his dreaded burden. Let us be hungry for the whole of Scripture.
Father, your Word to us is very good. We acknowledge that there are parts in Scripture which are hard for us to swallow. And we confess to you our tendency to shrink away from the hard stuff. We also confess our tendency to go the other way and fall into a faux-boldness which only ravages hearts with uncomfortable truths. Help us, dear Lord, with preachers who proclaim Your whole counsel. Give us hearts that are hungry for every bit of your Word, and minds filled with wisdom to know how to graciously apply your precious truths. Amen.
