Hello ,
Hugh Lattimer once preached before King Henry VIII. Henry was greatly displeased by the boldness in the sermon and ordered Lattimer to preach again the following week and apologize for the offence he had given.
The next week, after reading his text, he thus began his sermon: "Hugh Lattimer, dost thou know before whom thou are this day to speak? To the high and mighty monarch, the king's most excellent majesty, who can take away thy life, if thou offendest. Therefore, take heed that thou speakest not a word that may displease. But then consider well, Hugh, dost thou not know from whence thou comest--upon Whose message thou are sent? Even by
the great and mighty God, Who is all-present and Who beholdeth all thy ways and Who is able to cast thy soul into hell! Therefore, take care that thou deliverest thy message faithfully."
He then preached the same sermon he had preached the preceeding week--and with considerably more energy.
When we know the real King of Kings and Lord of Lords, we can be lovingly bold with those who would tell us to be silent. Christianity is not always convenient. We must always be loving and kind when we speak with others, but we are also sometimes called to share inconvenient morsels of truth when the time comes.
Have a great day and God bless!
