Warning: Salty Language Below.
This week, I heard about a bumper sticker making the rounds in New York City:
The Truth Will Set You Free.
But First It Will Piss You Off.
I find that painfully true.
I find it theologically true.
It’s why in Luke 3, John the Baptitst declares to his audience: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? . . . he (the coming Messiah) will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (3:7, 17)
And then Luke describes that diatribe in this way: “And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.” (3:18)
Before it’s good news, it’s bad news.
A vital part of the good news about God is accepting the bad news about ourselves.
That we are broken, selfish, and . . . sinful. I know that’s not politically correct in the 21st Century, but it’s still true.
It’s the kind of self-awareness that really will piss us off.
Before it sets us free.