'WHAT IF I WAS A 'YES MAN'?'

What would happen if I walked around and told everyone how perfect they were just like they were and that there is no need to ever worry about their eternity? "It doesn't matter if you do that kind of thing, it's going to be alright." "So what if it gets you into trouble later, at least you get to have fun now." "Don't worry about it... who is going to know that you act that way?"

What would happened if people had treated me like that all of my life? "Bruce, keep telling those dirty jokes, you are great at it." "It doesn't matter that you cuss like that, everybody does that." "Yes it is fun making fun of her, let's do it some more."

If we don't have people in our lives who love us enough to tell us the truth, then we will never see ourselves as we really are. We will only see ourselves as we think we are and that is totally different.

And if we don't see ourselves as we really are, then we will never see the need to repent of our sins and turn towards a holy God who loves us and wants us to live for Him. There is a common misconception going around that believes that since God loves us, He will let us do whatever we want. That couldn't be farther from the truth. Jesus died upon the cross because we did do what we wanted. If you want to go to heaven, you will not be going as you are or as you were but as you will be after God recreates you by giving you a new life. Not the life that you were living for yourself, a new life where you will be living for Him.

Sometimes it won't be easy but never give up. Some people will criticize you and call you names but it is not their opinions that need to be your top concern. You should only be concerned with what God says about you because if you are pleasing Him, He will take care of the rest.

However if you are not pleasing Him, realize that He will send people your way to help you see your sin. When they do this for you, remember to ask God if what they are saying is true and if it is, ask for forgiveness and be freed from whatever was holding you in bondage.

Psalm 32:1-2 (ESV) Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.