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You Can't Handle the Truth: A Call to Biblical Faithfulness in an Age of Compromise & Lawlessness - Thursday, June 12th, 2025 - By Sean Michael Wooten (Preacher Man)

ROLE PLAY:

Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, played by Tom Cruise: Colonel Jessup, did you order the code red?

Judge Julius Alexander Randolph, played by J.A. Preston: you don't have to answer that question.

Colonel Nathan Jessup, portrayed by Jack Nicholson: I'll answer the question. - You want answers!?

Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, played by Tom Cruise: I think I'm entitled.

Colonel Nathan Jessup, portrayed by Jack Nicholson: You want answers!?

Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, played by Tom Cruise: I want the truth!!

Colonel Nathan Jessup, portrayed by Jack Nicholson: You can't handle the truth!!

You Can't Handle the Truth: A Call to Biblical Faithfulness in an Age of Compromise & Lawlessness - Thursday, June 12th, 2025 - By Sean Michael Wooten (Preacher Man)

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The Courtroom That Changed Everything

In the movie "A Few Good Men," filmed October 21st, 1991, we witness one of cinema's most powerful confrontations. Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, played by Tom Cruise, relentlessly demands the truth from Colonel Nathan Jessup, portrayed by Jack Nicholson, about a deadly military incident called a "Code Red." As tension builds in the packed courtroom, Kaffee refuses to accept the colonel's lies and continues pressing for accountability.

Colonel Jessup, accustomed to unquestioned obedience, finds himself cornered by this persistent young lawyer who challenges his authority and demands complete honesty. The battle transcends mere facts—it becomes a clash of power, pride, and the fear of facing consequences. When Kaffee finally demands the complete truth, Jessup explodes with his infamous declaration: "You can't handle the truth!"

This moment reveals everything we need to understand about human nature. Jessup's pride, his guilt, and his arrogant belief that ordinary people lack the strength to face harsh realities. The scene resonates because it exposes what happens when powerful people are forced to confront the truth about their actions. Just as one day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Isaiah 45:23; Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:10-11).

The Greater Truth We Cannot Handle

This courtroom drama reflects something far more serious happening in our world today. Like Colonel Jessup, many people—including Christians (Acts 11:26) —become angry and defensive when confronted with God's truth (Psalm 119:160; John 17:17). They twist Scripture to avoid uncomfortable realities about sin, holiness, righteousness, and judgment, or they avoid certain biblical topics altogether (2 Peter 3:16).

Many faithful congregations and Lord's churches that once searched the Scriptures have sadly forsaken the way and are no longer faithful to God's pattern. They have added instruments to worship when the New Testament shows only singing (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 13:15). They have allowed women to preach and teach over men in violation of clear apostolic instruction (1 Corinthians 14:34-35, 1 Timothy 2:11-12). Many other changes have been made that are not in line with the pattern of worship and church organization that God has laid out for us in His word.

Scripture warned us this would happen. The Apostle Paul tells us that people will reject sound teaching and seek teachers who tell them what they want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3-4). John adds that anyone who goes beyond Christ's teaching doesn't have God (2 John 1:9). Paul emphasizes twice in Galatians that anyone preaching another gospel is accursed (Galatians 1:8-9).

We've shamefully allowed this compromise to enter our churches. We've tolerated false teachers (2 Peter 2:1), embraced worldly thinking (Colossians 2:8), failed to guard the gospel (1 Timothy 6:20), chosen comfort over truth (Jeremiah 6:14), preferred entertainment over genuine worship (2 Timothy 3:4), allowed sinful favoritism (James 2:1-9), held to human traditions (Mark 7:8-9, Colossians 2:8), and valued popular opinion over biblical authority (Isaiah 5:20).

People struggle with biblical truth because it exposes their sin, demands repentance (Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9), and requires complete surrender to God. Like Jessup's explosive reaction, humans naturally rebel when told they're wrong and need to change. We prefer comfortable lies to difficult truths.

As Jesus explained in John 3:19-20, people love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. Everyone who does wicked things hates the light and avoids it, fearing their deeds will be exposed. This passage reveals why people resist God's truth—it shows sin they'd rather keep hidden and demands accountability they'd rather avoid.

God's Judgment Cannot Be Escaped

Unlike the movie's courtroom, there exists a divine court where perfect justice will be served. God promises to execute judgment against those who reject His truth and harm His people (Romans 12:19; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; Hebrews 10:30-31).

Those who truly love and know God demonstrate it by keeping His commandments. This truth fills Scripture (Ecclesiastes 12:13; John 14:15, 21, 23; John 15:10, 14; 1 John 2:3-4; 1 John 5:2-3; 2 John 1:6).

No one will escape God's judgment. Hebrews 9:27 reminds us that everyone dies once, then faces judgment. Matthew 12:36-37 warns that we'll answer for every careless word and evil deed. Hebrews 4:13 declares that nothing is hidden from God—everything lies exposed before Him. Romans 14:12 and 2 Corinthians 5:10 make clear that every person will stand before God's throne and give account for their life.

We will be judged according to our words and deeds, measured against God's Word. However, if we walk continually in the light as He is in the light, His blood continues to cleanse us from all sin (1 John 1:7-9). On judgment day, we face two possibilities: hiding from God or hiding in God. Those hiding from God will face His wrath (Romans 1:18, Revelation 6:15-17), while those hiding in Christ will escape His wrath through salvation (Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9).

The Lawlessness That Infiltrates Our Churches

Perhaps one of the most dangerous compromises we've allowed is accepting lawlessness within our congregations. Scripture teaches that sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4), and Jesus warned clearly that not everyone who says "Lord, Lord" will enter heaven, but only those who do the Father's will (Matthew 7:21-23). He declared that many will claim they prophesied, cast out demons, and performed mighty works in His name, but He will respond, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness."

This sobering reality shows that people can appear religious and even perform seemingly spiritual works while still practicing lawlessness—living without regard for God's commands. We've shamefully allowed this attitude to enter our churches when such things ought not to be (1 Corinthians 14:40, 2 Timothy 3:5, Titus 1:16).

When lawlessness enters the church, our homes, and ourselves, it reveals a lack of fear and reverence for God. True knowledge and wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:10). James tells us that wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, and without hypocrisy (James 3:17). This wisdom stands in stark contrast to worldly wisdom that lacks divine origin and leads to confusion and evil practices (James 3:15-16).

Lawlessness shows up in many ways within congregations. Too many church members practice selective obedience, choosing which commandments to follow while ignoring Scripture that convicts their hearts. They enthusiastically support certain biblical teachings while completely disregarding others. For example, some quickly engage in gossip, complaining, and slander against fellow believers (Ephesians 4:29; Titus 3:2; James 4:11)—behaviors Scripture condemns as expressions of hatred and spiritual murder (Matthew 5:21-22, 1 John 3:15). Yet these same people claim obedience in other areas, creating a dangerous double standard God hates (Luke 6:46, James 2:10).

We live in a lawless society where sin runs rampant, and we've shamefully allowed this to enter the church when we're commanded not to be conformed to this world but transformed by renewing our minds in Christ Jesus (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 2:5). We're instructed to guard our hearts, for from them flow the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23), and Scripture teaches us not to follow our hearts but to lead them according to God's truth (Proverbs 23:19, Proverbs 28:26, Jeremiah 17:9-10, Psalms 139:23-24).

Instead of being transformed by God's Word, many Christians have been conformed to worldly thinking patterns that reject absolute truth, moral standards, and divine authority (James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-17). This has resulted in churches that look, sound, and act just like the world around them, failing to be the salt and light Christ called us to be (Matthew 5:13-16; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17).

Our Response: No Compromise Needed (STOP)

We don't need to water down God's truth or become comfortable with sin. We simply need to speak where the Bible speaks and be quiet where the Bible is quiet, calling Bible things by Bible names. It's that simple. When we speak what God has spoken, we are united with the Lord in truth (Psalms 119:160, John 17:17, 1 Corinthians 6:17, 1 John 3:7).

The Bible calls us to stand firm (1 Corinthians 16:13-14; Ephesians 6:10-11; Philippians 1:27), be courageous, straightforward, honest, and bold in our witness (Acts 4:29; 2 Timothy 1:7), speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), and speak truth with patience and gentleness (Ephesians 4:2; Galatians 6:1; 1 Peter 3:15). We must defend and fight for the faith we claim to love so deeply (Philippians 3:7-11, 1 Timothy 6:12, Jude 1:3).

We must separate from darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:11), pursue holiness (Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 1:16), and refuse to conform to this world (Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15-17). As Paul and Jesus both declare, what fellowship does darkness have with light, and what fellowship does righteousness have with unrighteousness (2 Corinthians 6:14-16)? The answer is none—they are completely incompatible. We cannot serve both God and the world (Matthew 6:24; James 4:4).

The disciples were reformers, radicals, and revolutionaries who turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6). They didn't compromise or stay comfortable—they boldly proclaimed truth that challenged the religious and political systems of their time (Acts 4:18-20; Acts 5:29). They took to heart Jesus' words that if the world hated Him, it would hate them too (Matthew 10:22, John 15:18-20, John 15:23, 2 Timothy 3:12).

Many Christians today are afraid to speak the gospel truth. They have become comfortable in their safety, afraid of popular opinion and losing positions in the church, forgetting that we're called to be witnesses, to deny ourselves, pick up our crosses, and follow Christ (Matthew 16:24, Luke 9:23, Acts 1:8; 2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Peter 3:15).

If we're not feeling the attack of the devil, evil, and the world, we're not doing something right according to Scripture (Matthew 5:11-12, John 15:20, 2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Peter 4:14). God help us all to do better and encourage one another to do better.

Speaking Truth Without Apology: Can You Handle the Truth

In one of cinema's most memorable courtroom scenes, Colonel Nathan Jessup explodes with these words, "You can't handle the truth", when pressed to reveal the harsh realities of military life. But what if the truth we're being asked to handle isn't about military protocol or national security? What if it's about the very condition of our souls and our relationship with Almighty God? The question isn't whether we can handle God's truth - it's whether we're willing to submit to it with humble and obedient hearts and let it transform us completely.

A Heart Laid Bare: The Struggle of Speaking Truth in Love

Let me share something deeply personal with you, dear reader. I love God with every fiber of my being. I absolutely, deeply, and enthusiastically long to be with Him because I have always loved Him, and I still do presently. However, I greatly struggle with hot-headedness, humility, pride, and not always speaking the truth in love with gentleness and patience. I am very zealous and passionate - always have been - and sometimes I foolishly allow that zeal and passion to turn into sin even when I don't mean to. I'm desperately working to be better at this with God's help because I cannot produce any righteousness myself. I need Him to overcome this and more. I cannot overcome sin without Him. I cannot get to heaven without Him. It's not about me; it's about Him. I'm not better than anyone, but the old Sean Michael Wooten, which is dead and gone.

It becomes very discouraging when folks think that I'm continuously, without fail, always angry, which is absolutely the farthest from the truth. I am greatly misunderstood. I shamefully admit that there are times when I am angry and it turns into sin, but there are also times when I am righteously angry - and we need to learn the difference between sinful rage and righteous indignation. I am more righteously angry than I am angry that turns into sin. Jesus Himself was righteously angry when He cleansed the temple and confronted the religious hypocrites of His day. Scripture shows us numerous examples of righteous anger: Christ's anger at the money changers (Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-17, Luke 19:45-46, John 2:13-17), His righteous indignation toward the Pharisees' hardness of heart (Mark 3:5), and His strong words against those who led little ones astray (Matthew 18:6). The apostle Paul also demonstrated righteous anger when confronting sin and false teaching (Acts 13:9-11, Galatians 2:11-14).

Many people get offended by my righteous anger and take it the wrong way because they don't want to take the time to get to know me, nor do they want to give me the opportunity to get to know them. Assumptions are very dangerous and very destructive. When we assume rather than seek understanding, we create barriers that prevent genuine fellowship and growth. Scripture warns against hasty judgments and encourages us to seek understanding first and foremost (Proverbs 18:13, Matthew 7:1-5, James 1:19-20). Assumptions lead to broken relationships, misunderstandings, gossip, slander, and division - everything Satan desires to see in the body of Christ (Proverbs 16:28, 1 Corinthians 1:10, James 3:16).

Let me be crystal clear about my goal: it is not to stomp on feet, but on hearts because it is the heart that is the issue, not the feet (Genesis 6:5, Genesis 8:21, 1 Samuel 16:7, Proverbs 4:23, Proverba 16:9, Proverbs 21:2, Proverbs 23:19, Proverbs 27:19, Ecclesiastes 9:3, Isaiah 29:13, Jeremiah 17:9-10, Ezekiel 11:19, Ezekiel 36:26, Matthew 12:34-35, Matthew 15:18-20, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Ephesians 3:17, Hebrews 3:12-13, Hebrews 4:12, James 1:26, James 4:7-8, 1 John 3:18-21). It is not to shame the church, but to highlight all the things that the church and Christians need to work together with the Lord above all and His Word to get corrected and fixed as soon as possible. The church is called to be holy, without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27). We are called to examine ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5), to restore one another gently (Galatians 6:1), and to speak the truth in love and patience so that we may grow up in all things into Christ (Ephesians 4:15, Ephesians 4:2). The goal is always restoration, reconciliation, sanctification, and unity in the body of Christ (Romans 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

We need to move beyond just talking about God's word to actually submitting to it and applying it in our lives, and helping others, by gently correcting, encouraging, and edifying them to apply it to their own lives as scripture has instructed us to do on both occasions (Matthew 7:24-27, Galatians 6:1, Ephesians 4:2, Ephesians 4:15, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:2, Hebrews 3:13, James 1:22-25, 1 Peter 3:15).

When God's Truth Becomes Offensive to Human Hearts

Let me be clear about something important: I don't set out to offend anyone when I reference Scripture. But when God's Word doesn't fit our personal agenda, His truth becomes very offensive to our flesh. The Word of God is inherently offensive to sinful hearts because it cuts deep and exposes what we'd rather keep hidden. As described in Hebrews 4:12, it is alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, judging the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Even Jesus experienced this reality with His own disciples. In John 6:60-66, after teaching about being the bread of life, many of His followers found His words difficult and offensive, saying "This is a hard saying; who can accept it?" The result was that many disciples turned back and no longer followed Him. Jesus then asked the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" This wasn't the only instance - throughout His ministry, Christ's teachings regularly offended religious leaders (Matthew 15:12), His own family questioned His sanity (Mark 3:21), and even His hometown rejected Him (Luke 4:28-29).

Other biblical examples include Nathan confronting David about his adultery and murder (2 Samuel 12:1-14), where God's truth through the prophet cut David to the heart. Stephen's speech in Acts 7 so offended the religious council that they stoned him. Paul's preaching was repeatedly met with offense and persecution (Acts 17:5-9, 1 Corinthians 1:23). The prophets throughout the Old Testament consistently delivered God's truth that offended kings, priests, and people alike - from Elijah confronting Ahab (1 Kings 18:17-18) to Jeremiah being thrown into prison for his messages (Jeremiah 37:15).

God's Word absolutely has the power of the gospel. It has the power to heal us in our brokenness, and it has the power to change us from the inside out, if we would just apply all the things that we search, study, and test, and allow it to change us. We are not capable of changing ourselves. We need God to do that, and we need to surrender to Him and allow Him to do that through His Word - something I have very painfully, deeply, and hurtfully learned these past few years. But these are lessons that are so ingrained in my mind that I will never forget them. They have made me humble at times, but at other times they've made me extremely angry because I'm hurt. The truth is, I'm tired of being hurt, but God heals.

Scripture promises that God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3). He promises to give beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3). His Word brings healing and delivers from destruction (Psalm 107:20), and He works all things together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

The Messenger vs. The Message: Understanding True Rejection

When I speak the truth - which is God's Word (Psalms 119:160, John 17:17) - and people get upset, they're not rejecting Sean Michael Wooten, they're rejecting Jesus Christ who lives in and through me. It's not my wisdom or my righteousness at work; it is God and God's Word alone. I'm not right because I'm special, though I will agree that I'm unique and, to many folks, I'm weird. God is right because He is God. When I speak exactly what God has spoken in His Word, I'm right just as God is right, because I'm united with Him in truth.

Scripture clearly teaches this principle: Christ lives in believers (Galatians 2:20, Colossians 1:27), our sufficiency comes from God alone (2 Corinthians 3:5), and we are vessels carrying God's treasure (2 Corinthians 4:7). When people reject God's truth spoken through His servants, they are ultimately rejecting God Himself (Luke 10:16, 1 Thessalonians 4:8). Jesus warned that the world would hate His followers because it first hated Him (John 15:18-20).

If and when I speak something that is not according to truth or out of context, I do try to humbly, patiently, and lovingly receive correction, but it needs to be backed up by Scripture and what God says. The reason is because I'm not interested in what others think, what their opinion is, or what they believe. I'm more concerned about what God has to say and what He thinks. Scripture must be our final authority (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and we must search, study, and test all things against God's Word (Acts 17:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 John 4:1). Human wisdom and opinion pale in comparison to divine revelation; in other words, "God's words in scripture should be trusted over human reasoning and opinions, since God's wisdom is infinitely superior to ours." (Isaiah 55:8-9, 1 Corinthians 1:25).

This is the key difference many miss: the messenger isn't the problem; the message is. God's truth confronts our sin, challenges our comfort, and demands we change. That's offensive to our pride, but it's exactly what we need. We are called not to be conformed to this sinful world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our mind in Christ Jesus our Lord, and to be servants as He was (Romans 12:2, Philippians 2).

Soldiers in Spiritual Warfare: Understanding Our True Battle

We are called to stand ready to give a defense and to have the armor of God at all times upon us, because we are at war with the devil and his angels, with evil, and most importantly, we are at war with our own flesh and our sinful selves. The battle is real and continuous, as Paul describes the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit (Romans 7:23, Galatians 5:17). We must be prepared with God's full armor (Ephesians 6:10-20) and always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within us (1 Peter 3:15).

We may be in a race, but it is not a competition against fellow believers, and shamefully, I think many Christians get the two confused and need to be lovingly, patiently, and gently reminded of this. The Christian race is about endurance, faithfulness, and finishing well (1 Corinthians 9:24, Philippians 3:14, 2 Timothy 4:7, Hebrews 12:1-2). We're running toward the same goal - eternal life with Christ.

When things get hard, we give up on one another and then claim we love one another. True biblical love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things, whether it's been beneficial to whatever is happening or not. It doesn't give up on others, no matter what (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). It's shameful and despicable that I see many Christians trying to outsmart or outdo one another. We're on the same team, for crying out loud! We're all on Team Jesus - those who have obeyed the gospel and are Christians living faithfully (Acts 11:26, Revelation 2:10).

This desire to outdo one another is a worldly mentality, not the mindset that Jesus demonstrated when He lived among us. Christ came not to be served but to serve (Matthew 20:27-28, Mark 10:43-45). He washed His disciples' feet as an example of humble service (John 13:1-20). He taught that the greatest among us should be the servant of all (Matthew 23:11). Paul echoed this teaching, urging believers to consider others more important than themselves (Philippians 2:3-4) and to prefer one another in honor (Romans 12:10).

Who are we really trying to please - men or God? This is what the apostle Paul addressed when he declared that seeking to please men would disqualify him from being Christ's servant (Galatians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:4).

The Choice Before Us: Handling God's Truth

Bringing our attention back to the movie a few good men, Colonel Jessup believed people couldn't handle the truth about military discipline and sacrifice. But God's truth is different - it's not too harsh for us to bear, but it is too holy and righteous for us to ignore. The question isn't whether we can handle God's truth, but whether we'll submit to it with humility and faith and let it change us from the inside out, because it can and has the ultimate power to change us. We cannot change ourselves, but God, through His Word, can change us if we surrender and allow it as we continue to pray to Him, study and meditate on His Word, and apply it to our lives daily.

We love to complicate things, but it's so simple. We only have one thing to do on a daily basis - just one thing: deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Jesus, whether at work, the library, grocery store, church, or wherever we are. We only have one thing to do each day, and that is to deny ourselves, pick up our cross, surrender to Him, and follow Him. That's it. We need to stop complicating it and nitpicking at each other and just love one another as He commanded (Matthew 16:24, Luke 9:23, John 13:34-35).

We must be doers, not hearers only, and be obedient to all the things He has said, not just what we think benefits us. He has given all Scripture that pertains to life and godliness - all of it is beneficial to us as Christians. It's not an option; it is a command to keep it all, for it is God's instruction for righteousness. Scripture teaches us that we must be doers of the Word and not hearers only (James 1:22-25), that all Scripture is profitable for our spiritual growth (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

If we've obeyed the gospel and live faithfully, we are Christians (Acts 11:26), and we will one day suffer as Christians (1 Peter 4:16). We are commanded to suffer wrongfully for doing good - that's exactly what Jesus did, and that's what we need to do. We need to talk, walk, and follow Him as He set the example. Jesus suffered unjustly yet remained faithful (1 Peter 2:19-23), and believers are called to follow His example in suffering (John 15:20, 2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Peter 4:16). We are blessed when we suffer for righteousness' sake (Matthew 5:10-12) and are called to rejoice in our sufferings (Acts 5:41, Romans 5:3-5).

We can choose pride like Jessup, exploding in anger when confronted with our sin and need for accountability, or we can humbly, obediently, and willingly choose repentance, acknowledging our need for God's grace, mercy, and forgiveness, and letting His truth transform our lives. Repentance brings refreshing from the Lord (Acts 3:19), godly sorrow leads to salvation (Acts 26:20, 2 Corinthians 7:10), and God is faithful to forgive when we confess our sins (1 John 1:9).

Pursuing Truth Despite Opposition

Like Lieutenant Kaffee, we must keep pursuing and speaking truth, even when people react with anger or rejection. We must keep speaking truth even if people attack us, name-call us, or fight against us. This is exactly what Jesus did when He lived. He opened not His mouth when they defamed and struck Him. He didn't fight back or retaliate. Christ's example of suffering without retaliation is clearly demonstrated throughout Scripture: He was led like a lamb to slaughter and opened not His mouth (Isaiah 53:7), He endured the cross and despised the shame (Hebrews 12:1-2), and He committed no sin nor was deceit found in His mouth when He was reviled (1 Peter 2:22-23). The apostles followed this example, rejoicing when they suffered for His name (Acts 5:41) and blessing those who persecuted them (Romans 12:14).

The stakes are far higher than any earthly courtroom - they involve eternal souls and the glory of God. Living for the Lord is challenging, as Jesus Himself declared that the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14).

Called to Battle, Not a Playground

There's an old saying that reminds us: God didn't call us to a playground, but to a battleground, because we're in a real spiritual war as soldiers for Christ. Being a Christian means we're in a battle against evil spiritual forces (1 Corinthians 9:7, Ephesians 6:12, 2 Timothy 2:3-4), and we need to be properly equipped and ready to fight. Too many Christians today act like spiritual children instead of mature warriors. They get their feelings hurt easily, complain about everything, and can't handle the tough parts of following Jesus.

The Bible repeatedly tells us to grow up spiritually and stop acting like babies who need constant care and protection (1 Corinthians 14:20, Ephesians 4:14-15, Hebrews 5:12-14). We should start out hungry for God's truth like newborn babies want milk (1 Peter 2:2), but we're supposed to actually grow from that milk and eventually be able to handle stronger spiritual food. The problem is many Christians never mature - they stay spiritually weak and dependent when they should be strong and capable of fighting spiritual battles.

Here's the reality: if you're truly following Jesus, you're going to face hardship, persecution, and suffering - that's guaranteed. Every genuine Christian throughout history has experienced this (2 Timothy 3:12). When we suffer because we're Christians, we shouldn't be embarrassed about it or try to avoid it. Instead, we should see it as an honor and use it to bring glory to God (1 Peter 4:16). This isn't just bad luck or poor circumstances - it's the normal Christian experience that Jesus and all His followers promised would happen.

Jesus plainly told His disciples that the world would give them trouble (John 16:33) and that they shouldn't expect better treatment than He received - if people persecuted Him, they would persecute His followers too (John 15:20). The early church understood and taught that believers must go through many hardships to enter God's kingdom (Acts 14:22). This is the consistent pattern throughout Scripture and Christian history.

The Final Verdict: Preparing for the Divine Courtroom and Our Eternal Choice

The divine courtroom is coming. One day, Jesus will fulfill His promise and return on the clouds, and we will meet Him in the air - those who are faithful (Matthew 24:30, Mark 13:26, Luke 21:27). This glorious return is described throughout Scripture as Christ coming in the clouds with great power and glory, the dead in Christ rising first, then those who are alive being caught up together with them in the clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17), and every eye seeing Him when He comes (Revelation 1:7). This blessed hope motivates us to live pure and godly lives (Titus 2:13, 1 John 3:2-3).

Unlike this earthly courtroom scene, there will be no dramatic music, no lights, no camera, no applause, no confetti, no clever lawyers, and no appeals process. There will only be perfect truth, perfect justice, and the eternal consequences of how we responded to God's Word and how we lived our lives on this earth in word and deed. The final judgment is clearly described in Scripture as a time when all will stand before the judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:10, 2 Corinthians 5:10), the dead will be judged according to their works (Revelation 20:12-13), and there will be a separation between the righteous and the wicked (Matthew 25:31-46). The books will be opened, and judgment will be rendered based on what is written therein (Daniel 7:10, John 5:28-29, Revelation 20:11-15).

This is where Hebrews 9:27 becomes crystal clear - it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment. There is no second chance, no do-over, no appealing to a higher court. The appointment is set, and we will all keep it. The truth may be difficult to handle, but it's the only path to salvation, holiness, and eternal life with our Creator. We can't escape it, we can't negotiate with it, we can't change it to fit our preferences, and we can't buy our way out of it, but we can start today and begin to prepare for it.

The choice is ours because God has given us that choice, but the consequences are eternal and inescapable. Will we handle the truth of God's Word with humble submission, or will we react like Colonel Jessup, believing we're above the law and accountability? The courtroom is already in session. The verdict depends on our response to the truth.

This is where Matthew 12:36-37 becomes unavoidable - every careless word we speak will be accounted for on the day of judgment. By our words we will be justified, and by our words we will be condemned.

Think about that for a moment. Every thoughtless comment, every harsh word, every lie. Every complaint, every slanderous remark, every piece of gossip, every curse word. All of it will be brought into the light of God's perfect justice.

We live as if our words don't matter, but they matter more than we can imagine - not just to God, but to the people around us. God cares deeply about our speech precisely because He knows the power words have to heal or to wound. The phrase "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is one of the biggest lies we tell ourselves. Words do hurt. They cut deep, they wound, and they leave scars that can last a lifetime.

There are consequences to the things we say and how we say them. The weight of our words matters more than we can ever imagine - both in this life and the next.

One day we will stand before the eternal King. What will be our excuse then? Scripture makes clear that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Isaiah 45:23, Romans 14:11, Philippians 2:10-11), we will all give account to God (Romans 14:12, 1 Peter 4:5), there will be no hiding from His presence (Psalm 139:7-12, Jeremiah 23:24, Amos 9:2-3), and every work will be brought into judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:14, 2 Corinthians 5:10). On that day, those who have done good will enter eternal life, but those who have done evil will face eternal punishment (Daniel 12:2, Matthew 25:46, John 5:29).

All of us will live forever, but God has given us the choice to choose the narrow way or the broad way, heaven or hell. This is not rude - it is straightforward, bold, and honest. Jesus Himself taught about these two paths (Matthew 7:13-14, Luke 13:24) and spoke more about hell than heaven because He loves us and wants us to be warned (Matthew 5:22, 29-30, 10:28, 18:7-9, 23:15, 23:33, 25:41, 25:46, Mark 9:43-48, Luke 12:5, 16:23, 16:19-31). We will either hear Jesus say "Well done, good and faithful servant" or "Depart from Me, I never knew you," but He gives us the choice right now (Matthew 7:23, Matthew 25:21, 23, Luke 13:27-28).

God Means Business: His Serious Call to Salvation

God's character is rooted in perfect truth and unwavering faithfulness. His nature makes deception impossible, as confirmed throughout Scripture (Numbers 23:19, 1 Samuel 15:29, Malachi 3:6, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18). When God speaks, His words carry eternal weight and absolute reliability. Unlike temporary human judgments, His divine decisions have everlasting consequences.

Scripture clearly reveals a consistent pattern throughout history: God's salvation extends to relatively few, demonstrating both His justice and the seriousness of His call. Consider these biblical accounts spanning from creation to the New Testament:

Examples:

• Cain and Abel: From the first two brothers born to humanity, only Abel's sacrifice was accepted by God, while Cain's was rejected due to his heart condition (Genesis 4:3-5, Hebrews 11:4, 1 John 3:12)

• Enoch's Translation: Out of all the people living in his generation, only Enoch "walked with God" so faithfully that God took him without experiencing death (Genesis 5:21-24, Hebrews 11:5, Jude 1:14-15)

• The Line of Seth vs. Cain: While Cain's descendants became increasingly wicked and violent, only Seth's lineage maintained the practice of calling upon the name of the Lord (Genesis 4:16-26, 5:1-32, Luke 3:38)

• Noah & his family: In Noah's time, Scripture indicates that only Noah found grace in God's eyes among his entire generation, demonstrating that righteousness was exceedingly rare. Only eight souls found safety in the ark while the world perished (Genesis 6:5-8, 6:11-13, 7:7, 7:13, 7:23, Matthew 24:37-39, Luke 17:26-27, 1 Peter 3:20, 2 Peter 2:5).

• Sodom and Gomorrah: Initially four people fled—Lot, his wife, and their two daughters. However, when Lot's wife disobeyed God's command not to look back, she immediately became a pillar of salt, leaving only three survivors (Genesis 19:15-17, 19:26, Luke 17:32, 2 Peter 2:6-7)

• Abraham's Call: God chose one man, Abraham, out of all the families of the earth to begin His covenant people, calling him from idolatrous Ur to follow Him by faith (Genesis 12:1-3, Acts 7:2-4, Hebrews 11:8, Romans 4:16-17)

• **Joseph's Preservation**: Among Jacob's twelve sons, God specifically chose Joseph to preserve both his family and Egypt during seven years of famine, despite his brothers' jealousy and betrayal (Genesis 37:3-4, 45:4-8, 50:20, Psalm 105:17-22)

• **Wilderness Journey**: Only Joshua and Caleb from the original generation of Israelites entered the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering (Numbers 14:30, 26:65, Deuteronomy 1:36-38, Joshua 14:6-10, Hebrews 3:16-19)

• **David's Selection**: God chose the youngest son of Jesse, a shepherd boy, over his older brothers to become king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:7-13, Psalm 78:70-72, Acts 13:22)

• **Elijah's Time**: God preserved only 7,000 who hadn't bowed to Baal during widespread apostasy in Israel (1 Kings 19:18, Romans 11:4, 1 Kings 18:22)

• **Daniel and His Friends**: Among all the young Jewish captives in Babylon, only Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego remained faithful to God's laws and were blessed with wisdom and protection (Daniel 1:8-17, 3:16-30, 6:10-23)

• **Jeremiah's Ministry**: God called Jeremiah as His lone prophet to warn Judah of coming judgment, while the majority of people and false prophets opposed his message (Jeremiah 1:17-19, 15:20-21, 20:7-9, 26:8-11)

• **Ezekiel's Calling**: During Israel's exile, God appointed Ezekiel as a watchman to the scattered people, making him one of the few faithful voices in a spiritually dark time (Ezekiel 2:3-7, 3:17-21, 33:7-9)

• **Gideon's Army**: God reduced Gideon's forces from 32,000 to just 300 men to demonstrate His power and ensure His glory (Judges 7:2-7, 7:16-22)

• **The Remnant**: Throughout Israel's history, God consistently worked through faithful remnants rather than the majority (Isaiah 10:20-22, Romans 9:27, 11:5, Ezra 9:8, Micah 2:12)

• **Day of Pentecost**: While 3,000 responded to Peter's message, countless others in Jerusalem heard but didn't accept (Acts 2:41, 2:47, 4:4)

• **Jesus' Disciples**: From the multitudes who followed Christ, only a committed few remained faithful through His crucifixion and beyond (John 6:66-69, Luke 22:28, Acts 1:15)

• **The Wedding Feast**: In Christ's parable, a king invited many guests to his son's wedding, but most rejected the invitation with various excuses. When servants gathered people from the streets, even then one guest was cast out for lacking proper wedding garments, demonstrating that even among those who accept God's invitation, not all are truly prepared (Matthew 22:1-14, Luke 14:16-24, Revelation 19:7-9, Matthew 25:10-12)

Christ Himself taught about this narrow path to salvation, explaining that few find the way to eternal life (Matthew 7:13-14, Luke 13:23-24, 13:27-28). He also illustrated this principle through parables about many being called but few chosen (Matthew 20:16, 22:14, 25:1-13).

**The Pattern is Clear**: From the very beginning of human history until Christ's second coming, God's Word consistently demonstrates that He is absolutely serious about salvation. These examples spanning thousands of years prove that God doesn't play games—He means exactly what He says. In every generation, among multitudes of people, only a faithful few responded to God's call and were saved, while the majority chose their own way and perished. This isn't coincidence; it's God's unchanging pattern that warns us of the urgency of our decision.

God graciously extends His invitation to you today. Scripture emphasizes the present opportunity for salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2, Hebrews 3:7-8, 3:15, 4:7, Isaiah 55:6, Psalm 95:7-8). Rather than postponing this vital decision, consider responding to His loving call now.

Delay can be spiritually dangerous, as tomorrow's opportunity isn't guaranteed (Proverbs 27:1, James 4:13-14, Luke 12:16-21, Isaiah 55:6). God patiently waits for your response, desiring that none should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:4, Ezekiel 33:11).

Will you accept His gracious invitation today and join those who have chosen the narrow path to eternal life?

As for me and my house, especially starting with myself, we have already decided that we will praise and live for the Lord no matter what it costs us (Joshua 24:15, 1 Chronicles 16:29, Psalm 96:8-9). This commitment echoes Joshua's declaration when he challenged Israel to choose whom they would serve (Joshua 24:14-15). Like the psalmist, we will bless the Lord at all times, and His praise will continually be in our mouths (Psalm 34:1, Psalm 63:4, Psalm 145:2). You must make that decision for yourselves because we are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12, 1 Corinthians 9:27, 2 Peter 1:10).

I'm not responsible for anybody's salvation but my own, but I am responsible to provide for, protect, and be an example of Christ to my household (1 Timothy 5:8, Ephesians 6:4, 1 Corinthians 4:16), and to keep all His commands, starting with "Go preach the gospel," because if I don't, their blood will be upon my hands (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8). Scripture makes clear that we are watchmen responsible for warning others (Ezekiel 3:17-19, Ezekiel 33:6-9), that Paul was innocent of the blood of all men because he declared the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:26-27), and that woe is unto us if we do not preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16, Isaiah 6:5, Jeremiah 20:9).

John tells us we can be confident of our salvation and know that we have eternal life according to what God has laid out in Scripture (1 John 5:13, 1 John 3:14, 1 John 2:3). This assurance comes through believing in the name of the Son of God (1 John 5:13, John 1:12, John 3:16), putting christ on in and through baptism (Romans 6:3-4, Galatians 3:26-27), through the witness of the Spirit with our spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:16, Galatians 4:6, 1 John 4:13), and through keeping His commandments which demonstrates our love for Him (Ecclesiastes 12:13, John 14:15, 21, 23, John15:10, 14, 1 John 2:3-4, 1 John 5:2-3, 2 John 1:6). We have confidence because of Christ's finished work (Hebrews 10:19-22, Hebrews 4:16, Ephesians 3:12) and the promises of God which are yes and amen in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20, Hebrews 6:17-18, 2 Peter 1:4).

The truth is coming whether we can handle it or not. The question is: will you be ready?

Can You Handle the Truth?

The truth of God's Word stands before us today, just as it has for generations past and will for generations to come (Isaiah 40:8, 1 Peter 1:25). Unlike Colonel Jessup's military truth delivered with harshness and anger, God's truth comes wrapped in love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, and the promise of redemption (John 1:14, 1 John 4:8, Romans 5:8). But make no mistake—it remains truth: unchanging and uncompromising (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, Numbers 23:19).

The question that echoes from that fictional courtroom to our very real spiritual condition remains: Can you handle the truth? Not the truth about military codes or national security, but the truth about your soul, your sin, your need for a Savior, and your eternal destiny (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, John 3:16, John 14:6)? Just as Lieutenant Kaffee demanded answers from Colonel Jessup, God's Word demands an answer from each of us regarding our spiritual condition (Romans 14:12, 2 Corinthians 5:10).

In the courtroom scene, Colonel Jessup's truth was full of pride, anger, and making excuses for himself. God's truth shows us two things: He is perfectly holy, and He loves us completely (Isaiah 6:3, Psalm 103:8, Exodus 34:6-7). When Jessup told the truth, it destroyed him. When God shows us the truth, it can lead to our salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10, Acts 2:37-38).

The idea of standing in God's courtroom isn't just a word picture—it's real. We will all face God someday (Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 20:11-15). Human judges make mistakes, but God is perfect. He knows everything, and His decisions are always right (Psalm 9:8, Acts 17:31, Romans 2:16, Hebrews 4:13). But here's the good news: if you have heard the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-8), have obeyed the gospel to hear, believe, repent, confess, be baptized, and strive to live faithfully and obediently as Jesus did (Hebrews 5:7-9, Revelation 2:10), walking in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:5-10), then God's courtroom becomes a place where you're declared innocent instead of guilty (Romans 8:1, John 5:24).

The choice is yours, but the consequences are eternal (Matthew 25:46, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). God's courtroom is waiting, and He's ready to make His decision about you (James 5:9, 1 Peter 4:5). How will you respond to His truth today? Will you be like the people who walked away from Jesus because His words were too hard to accept (John 6:60-66)? Or will you respond like Peter did when he said, "Lord, where else can we go? You have the words that give eternal life" (John 6:68)?

The final judgment is coming. The question is: when God reveals all truth, will you be ready to handle it (1 Corinthians 4:5, Romans 2:5-6)? What you do with His truth today decides where you'll stand in that final courtroom on that great and fearful day (John 12:48, Romans 10:9-10). Remember today is the day of salvation. Obey the gospel today, live faithfully, and be safe on that day when you stand before God, judged according to His truth (Psalms 119:160, John 17:17).