The Kinder, Gentler Church

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth.  I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”  Matthew 10:34 (NIV)

 

What is being preached in our churches today?  Is it the full counsel of God or do we prefer a kinder, gentler approach to delivering His Word? No one wants to hear that they are miserable sinners who deserve the wrath of God, and only the blood of Jesus can save them. It’s much more pleasant to hear that God loves them and has a plan for their life.  There’s nothing wrong with that message—it’s a good message.  But it’s not the whole story.  There are two sides to every coin.  If people don’t understand what their salvation cost God the Father and His Son, they’re not hearing the whole story. If people hear that all they have to do is ask Jesus into their heart to be saved, how does that prepare them to become His disciples?  One might think that they have no further obligation other than to say a prayer and attend church when it’s convenient. Jesus saves—that’s great! What about our part of the bargain? What about the fact that God's Word says we are not our own, we were bought with a price?  That we are to be holy, for He is holy?  That we are to love Jesus more than anyone or anything—including our family, our possessions, even our life?  Those are hard teachings but Jesus didn’t sugar coat the Truth and neither should we.  I think this is why our churches are so weak today—people are not being told to do the hard things.  In the end, it leaves the church with nothing but baby believers who are not challenged to grow in their faith.  Worse yet, they are being robbed of the promise of abundant life. The abundant life is not about “having it all”. 

“He who loses his life for my sake will find it.”