Breakfast at Tiffany’s: Honk if you love Jesus

"For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God." 2 Corinthians 2:15-17

While driving my son, Jonah, to school one day, I noticed that the car in front of us had a very low back tire. I told Jonah I thought about honking at him, but I was afraid he would think I was just an angry driver. I also said I wished there was a specific horn in cars that was just for that sort of purpose so people would know to stop and check their car for something wrong. But instead, I said a prayer that he would be safe and that someone might be able to get his attention before he had a dangerous blowout.           

In hindsight, I know that I should have done what I could to get his attention regardless of whether he was offended by my horn or not. That got me thinking about how God often places people within our sight that need instruction or warning from God's word, but we are too afraid we will sound unpleasant or offensive. So we say a little prayer, hoping that someone else might come along and help them see that they are close to a spiritual blowout. Unfortunately, many Christians use their "horn" brashly (I have been guilty of this myself at times), so that whenever anyone tries to speak the truth of the Bible, people assume it's just another "angry driver." But we can't let the mistakes of others (or ourselves) silence us from humbly speaking the truth in love when we know it's necessary. It won't always be received well and may often be ignored, even when done prayerfully and out of true concern and love. Yes, God's grace and mercy are revealed through His word, but so are His utter contempt for evil and His concern for those who are perishing in their sin. "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart"(Hebrews 4:12).

Scripture won't always evoke warm fuzzies in a person's heart, especially if they are trying to navigate this life blindly believing only partial truths or completely going their own sinful way. But who's to say that the person who is lovingly warned won't eventually pull over and try to find the problem? What may have seemed like another angry horn might be the very thing that saves their life.