Slide Rule Salesman

Slide Rule Salesman

Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

“Can I interest you in a state of the art brand new slide rule?” If you did not go to school the before 1980’s then you have no idea what a slide rule is and what it does. It is (yes you can still buy one) a handheld non-electronic device used to conduct complex mathematical equations. In 1972, the first hand held electronic scientific calculator was created and the need for the slide rule was eliminated. How would you like to have the job of selling slide rules today? No matter how well you presented the product, almost no one would buy it. “I’m sorry but we are doing fine and comfortable with our modern hand held devices.” As my Dad would say, it would be a hard row to hoe. What if all the electronic devices were fried and our electrical infrastructure was destroyed? Then the market for the old device would dramatically change.

The Bible is filled with God’s messengers who were treated like slide rule salesmen. All of the prophets’ messages were shunned and ridiculed. “We are fine and comfortable with our lives. The product you are selling is old and antiquated.” It wasn’t until they lost everything that the “slide rule” message of repentance became a real necessity. Even Jesus, in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecies, was despised and rejected. The people did not want what Jesus was “selling” and wanted him to provide a new product. Pastors today often struggle with feeling like a slide rule salesman. It seems that the common thread or message which is always rejected is one of repentance. This involves stopping and changing the direction of your life. We don’t like that because we are fine and comfortable going the way we are going.

I often relate to the old prophets when it comes to addressing the issue of sexual sin within the church. It doesn’t matter how kind or graceful I present the topic it makes people uncomfortable. The Israelites didn’t think it was a big deal to have a few extra idols with them because their main God was still with them. Many people today view pornography in the same way. “It’s not a big deal to look because I still love Jesus and go to church regularly.” Small and secret idols have a way of growing into large ones and consuming everything. Once brokenness occurs the message of the “slide rule”  warnings becomes more relevant. The people of the Old Testament didn’t have to lose everything. The rich young ruler didn’t have to walk away. The Christian with the secret sexual sins doesn’t  have to experience utter brokenness. Repentance is available at all stages of rebellion. Today you may be fine and comfortable with your relationship with sexual sin but is God fine and comfortable with it? Scripture is full of warnings and directions regarding sexual sin. You might be able to treat the messenger as you would a slide rule salesman but how long can you do that with God’s Truth?

If you find yourself ready to address the secret sexual sin in your life, Perfect Hope offers a message of hope through our material and services. For more information about our Blessing of the Thorn Course click here. To learn more about how sexual sin affects the Christian click here for your copy of The Blessing of the Thorn ebook.

Jonathan Jones, President and Founder of Perfect Hope Ministry

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