"I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes" -Acts 20:20
As Paul was preparing to leave the elders from Ephesus, he essentially gave them his resignation notice. He told them that he loved them and that from day one it was his desire that they know Jesus and his good news. He spoke of his hard work among them, and how this often required confronting them with truth.
Confronting others is one of the most difficult things that we do. When the person we will confront is a family member or friend, it is even more difficult. But confrontation is a part of being a Christian. It IS necessary!
When it came to telling people what they needed to hear, Paul did not shrink back, and as Christians, we must not be afraid to be honest with them and speak truth into their lives. What they need to hear beyond any other message is the truth of the Gospel and the good news of Jesus Christ.
We have to confront them on their sin (just as someone did to me) and point them to Jesus as the one who took care of it. We must not shrink back!
My prayer: I am thankful for the people in my life who did not shrink back from telling me a truth that I needed to hear. They demonstrated courage in doing so. Please give me that same courage to not shrink back from telling people what they need to hear. Amen.
