Dinna Leave them wi a Sair Hert

Dinna Leave them wi a Sair Hert

We were discussing various preachers and preaching styles, and the point was made that some preachers hammer their hearers, leaving them weak and reeling at the end of the message.  There are of course other preachers who are all milksop, who never challenge or confront.

But Scripture both challenges and encourages, and even when confronting the most heinous of sins in believers there is always the need to emphasise the grace of God and his mercy in Christ Jesus. 

We have to avoid the dangers of both antinomianism and legalism, of neither pressing the demands of God’s law nor mentioning the provisions of cleansing grace.  Some preachers are top-heavy on Christian duty and the demands of holiness, but leave the people of God discouraged, for we recognise that we can never truly and fully meet these standards.  Others are so strong on grace that they slip into an antinomian-light mode, where, while not actually denigrating the Law in theory, they never apply it in practice.

In was into this discussion that my wife told of the advice of a senior teacher to a younger teacher facing his first Parents’ Night: “Dinna leave them wi a sair hert.*” 

Parents know their children, and it is so discouraging only to be told of your child’s faults and failings.  They need a little encouragement, some bright hope regarding at least some aspect of their child’s character, behaviour or academic prowess. A teacher should be aware of that and not let parents leave totally disheartened.

If that is good advice for teachers, it is equally good advice for preachers: “Dinna leave them wi a sair hert.” If you have thundered the law, soothe with the Gospel. If you have emphasised duty and responsibility, end with the glorious truth of imputed righteousness and free forgiveness.  Always end with Christ.

Hark, the glad sound! the Saviour comes!

The Saviour promised long!

Let every heart prepare a throne,

And every voice a song.

He comes the prisoners to release,

In Satan's bondage held;

The gates of brass before him burst,

The iron fetters yield.

He comes to soothe the broken heart,

To calm the struggling mind,

To shed upon the mourner joy,

And light upon the blind.

The sinners thou didst die to save,

We worship Thee, O Lord!

In all our hearts be Thou enthroned,

By all our tongues adored!  (Doddridge)

* “Sair” Causing mental distress or grief. (Scottish National Dictionary)  Hence, “Don’t leave them with a sore heart.”