George Whitefield was one of the more influential preachers of the 18th century. Thousands of people flocked to hear this eccentric evangelist who, despite his short stature, towered above the rest with his charisma and conviction.
And, almost counterintuitively, many people who disagreed with Whitefield’s message still frequently attended his sermons. One of these “Regular Rejectors” was none other than Benjamin Franklin.
And at one point, Franklin was bluntly asked the question, “Why do you continue to listen to Whitefield when you don’t believe anything he says?”
And Franklin replied, “I don’t believe it…but he does.”
And because Whitefield unflinchingly and resolutely served as a conduit through which the Truth freely flowed, he was mocked, persecuted, and even physically attacked on multiple occasions. At one point, a lady assaulted him with a pistol, scissors…and her teeth. Another guy nearly bludgeoned him to death with a brass-headed cane. And still another climbed a tree during one of his oratories not to reenact the Biblical Zacchaeus, but in an attempt to “rain on Whitefield’s parade” by publicly urinating on him.
Whitefield famously stated, “I would rather wear out than rust out,” and he died at a relatively young age.
Does Whitefield’s story sound like anyone else you may have known?
One year ago today, a young man was cut down in the prime of his life for speaking the Truth. And, at least for a time, it appeared that the 21st century may have a Great Awakening of its own. Because ultimately, you can’t kill the Truth. You can’t ignore the Truth. The Truth will convict you. But the Truth alone can set you free.
And if the fragile egos of a fallen world lacerate you or the demonic minions of the relativistic age inflict you with a mortal wound, will that Truth bleed out of you with a deluge of passion? Will the same blood that has cleansed you from all unrighteousness spill over onto a world who is sordidly sin-streaked in abject rebellion? Regardless of their response to the Truth, would people be magnetically drawn to you because YOU BELIEVE IT?
Thank you to those who have boldly gone before us.
Remember.
Don’t forget.
Redeem the time.
John 8:32
