The Tempting Allure of False Apologies
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (The words of Jesus; Matthew 5:10-12 ESV) I wonder how John the Baptist would be treated today. I know that it seems like a strange place to start...but follow me here. John the Baptist had basically one job...to prepare the way for the Lord (see Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-17; John 1:19-28; Isaiah 40:3). And he had one message...Repent! People came from all around in anticipation of the Lord's coming. So they asked questions of John in practical terms to understand what "repentance" was. He told the crowds to be generous with what they had to the poor (Luke 3:10-11). He told the tax collectors, who w