The Pastors' Dilemma

Acts 21:18-20 KJV

And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.

And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

When Paul reported to James and the other elders present in Jerusalem they rejoiced in the news of the Gentile conversions but they confessed to Paul their dilemma; they pastored thousands of Jewish believers who, though professing Christ, had never separated themselves from their old culture. These pastors found themselves in the position of compromising truth (at the very least suppressing it) in order to maintain their large congregations. Their compromise - and Paul's submission to their request, led to Paul's arrest. 

Pastors find themselves in this dilemma almost daily. People come into our churches making professions of faith but dragging with them the baggage of their old culture and way of life. We want to give them time to grow so we say little about the baggage. But after a while we become somewhat dependent upon the person and more or less used to their baggage. In time, if we are not aware, we may even find ourselves defending their baggage. 

This scenario is the root if much of the spiritual and moral declension in churches. We want to reach people, the world is growing darker and darker so churches embrace more and more of the darkness in order to reach people. 

There is only one answer to this dilemma; to do as Paul taught and preach "not as pleasing men, but God which trieth our hearts". We may not have the thousands any more, but we will begin to climb out of the darkness if compromise. 

Christian, be thankful for a preacher who urges you to change your culture. It might be uncomfortable and often irritating, but it is the only way you will learn to walk in the spirit and not in the flesh.