"It's a matter of life and death! You need to support our cause." I thank the person and hang up the phone. What is the cause? Is it fighting hunger? Is it fighting domestic abuse? Is it providing low-cost housing for the poor? These are good. They are important. But even more so, Christian ministry is a matter of life and death. It is not to be taken lightly either by ministers or by those to whom they minister. Look at Ezekiel's calling. He is responsible to warn the people, to exhort them to righteousness. They are responsible to hear and respond. Of course, it is God who calls our hearts to repentance, who convicts us, who forgives us. But he uses his human servants in the process. The proclamation of the true Law and Gospel is a matter of life and death.
Woe to those servants of the Lord who do not speak the truth clearly. They condemn themselves and their hearers.
Thanks be to God in Christ who gives repentance, forgiveness, restoration, and courage to speak the Word boldly. May he ever work in His Church.
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