From the Poet

Dear Reader,

I do not write as one who has arrived. I write as a fellow sinner—saved by grace, still stumbling, yet sick to my stomach at what I see.

The beautiful, holy command “Judge not” has been ripped violently from its context and forged into a blunt weapon to silence conviction, muzzle truth, and keep the Church comfortably lukewarm. In this dark hour when evil is paraded as good, when lies are called love and darkness is left to devour souls unchallenged, a spineless, smiling silence has replaced the roar of righteous judgment.

But the Word of God does not bend to our cowardice. It thunders still: hate evil, expose darkness, judge with right judgment, speak truth in love—even when it costs us. Jesus did not come to affirm our destruction; He came to confront it with both nail-scarred hands and a whip of cords.

This poem is my imperfect roar. May it strike a spark in your spirit. May it awaken you to hold the plank in your own eye without ever dropping the sword of mercy from your hand. The hour is late. The stakes are eternal.

Rise with me, Church—flawed, forgiven, and finally unafraid. Let us love people enough to tell them the truth, even when it burns. Because real love does not smile while souls walk toward hell.

With holy fire and trembling knees,

The Poet

On Righteous Judgment & Moral Clarity

• John 7:24 – “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

• Ephesians 5:11 – “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.”

• Ephesians 4:15 – “…speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”

On Hating Evil While Loving People

• Psalm 97:10 – O you who love the Lord, hate evil!

• Romans 12:9 – Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

• Amos 5:15 – Hate evil, and love good…

Jesus’ Example – Compassion and Confrontation

• John 4:1-42 – The woman at the well (gentle truth that transforms).

• Matthew 21:12-13 / John 2:13-17 – Jesus cleanses the temple (flipping tables).

• Matthew 23:13-33 – “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” (strong rebuke of religious hypocrisy).

The Church’s Calling

• Ezekiel 33:7-9 – The watchman must warn or bear the guilt of silence.

• 2 Timothy 4:2-4 – Preach the word… reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

• Revelation 3:15-16 – “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot… because you are lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth.”

In velvet fog the half-verse drifts,

“Who am I to judge?” — the chorus lifts

A shield for sin, a club for truth,

While logs lie heavy on the eye of proof.

They twist the Word till courage dies,

Lukewarm the salt that once burned eyes;

No tables flipped, no vipers named,

Just smiles that watch the broken walk ashamed.

Yet Scripture thunders, double-edged and bright:

Hate evil, cling to good with all your might!

Judge righteous judgment, not by vain display—

Expose the darkness that devours the day.

The Master wept beside the well,

Yet scourged the house where thieves would dwell;

He called the lost with arms spread wide,

Yet called the lie and would not let it hide.

So come, believer, bent but unafraid:

Confess your plank in dust where mercy’s laid.

Then rise—speak life where death parades,

Name wolves as wolves and light the fading shades.

Not soul-condemning, proud, or shrill,

But love that loves enough to still

The honeyed poison, the glittering lie—

A bleeding heart that will not say “You do you” while people die.

Let lukewarm fade, let holy fire return;

Humility that does not quench the flame, but burns

To purify, not to destroy the name—

This is the Church that bears the Savior’s flame.

Who am I to judge? A sinner, yes, redeemed—

Yet summoned by the King to stand between

The living and the grave, the truth and lie.

By grace I walk. By grace I will not shy.

Rise, Church! Flawed, forgiven, bold and wide awake!

The hour is late, the stakes are high—

No more the silent smile, no more the fake.

Take up the sword of mercy, kiss the cross,

And roar the Word that hell itself cannot exhaust!

The world is watching. Heaven waits to see

A Church on fire — unashamed, set free —

Holding both grace and truth in hands made strong,

Proclaiming Christ till every knee bends low.

This is our moment. Rise. The King is here.

Let lukewarm die. Let Zion’s fire appear!