Making the Gospel Relevant and Compromising the Truth = Eternal Spiritual Death

iGeneration in the church

February 25, 2010

I wrote a post some weeks ago of my concern about raising children amidst a generation of I, Me and My. Some of you kindly responded with suggestions and thoughts. The question I pondered was how do I instill into the lives of my children the values of Christ-likeness, which seem so opposed to the thinking that pervades our western culture. A culture which is so “i” focused.

When one is surrounded by the riches and comforts of Babylon, there seems to be little motivation to move, or be moved and to flee from the rotting stench of  a selfish and complacent faith. Our kids, my kids are  surrounded and enamored of this culture of entertainment and technology and I am troubled by it all. Even amongst so many churches today, we have adopted the I, me, my gospel messages.

It is recorded in John 12:25 That Christ taught them so…those who love their lives will lose them, and those who hate their lives in this world will guard them for everlasting life.

Those who hate their lives in this world….hate their lives in this world will guard themselves for salvation.  Hate is a strong word.

Right now I’m thinking about all of those churches today whose slogan, motto, whatever you call it, is something like…..Love God, Love people, Love life. And the crowds cheer because here is a church which will teach you how you can love God, love people and love and hang on to so many of your wicked and worldly ways.

Surely if that was a biblical slogan,  it would say….Love God, Love people, Hate life….. I suppose 2 out of 3 aint bad. On the downside a half truth is actually a lie.

Yeah sure I understand, who would go to a church that had that slogan written on their advertising sign. Perhaps you might suggest to me that I misinterpret the message. That’s fine, I just think we make it sound all too easy, this whole gospel of  ”you can follow Jesus and love the things of the world”

When I googled that slogan “Love god, Love people, Love life” the first church website that came up had a message for all to read concerning God’s economy, the global financial crisis and how you as a Christian do not have to endure financial hardship if you honour the command in Deuteronomy. You see, everything is about you, it’s all focused on You and God’s word is for You so that You can get the most out of this world and that no hardship need come thy way child of righteousness.

But is it the wrong life that we are teaching people to love? It sure looks to me like an earthly, sensual, demonic life of the flesh gospel, which leads to death. An immitation, bogus gospel wrapped up to look like the real thing.  God help us all. Whatever happened to living a crucified life, of death to self, of forsaking all to follow, of denying iSelf, of picking up ones cross of burden and sorrows, of suffering for righteosness sake, of speaking truth at a personal cost, of charity beyond worldy giving. There is no cross to bare, no suffering for righteousness and that’s how you can love life, just like the sign says.

Can we not step back from all of this mess and just tell the people to look toward the Saviour, look upon His life, and imitate Him. Is that so hard? Must we alter, sweeten, candy coat and wrap up the gospel in a veil of death. Are we so blind that we canot see that this gospel does not look like Christ, and if it does not look like Him, it is not of Him.

I just thank God that my kids don’t listen to or watch God TV or Christian radio at all. They would have little hope of discerning the truth from the error. Truly, it’s difficult enough instilling into them Christlike values without having the gospel of lasciviousness added to their lives via well meaning Christian media.

I used to wonder why the church did these things, why do we so often sweeten the word, soften it, make it more palatable, take away from it’s sting or the sharpness of the sword of the word. Then I read the apostle Peter’s words explaining what would happen to the church as a result of leaders and teachers who have not crucified their own flesh, and who have held on to their covetous hearts. Peter goes on to explain in 2 Peter that because of their covetousness and sensuality, the way of truth will be maligned, perverted, and no longer clear.

2 Peter 2: But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach their destructive heresies about God and even turn against their Master who bought them. Theirs will be a swift and terrible end.
Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of them, Christ and his true way will be slandered.
In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction is on the way.

Please, if you must teach the word of God, do so with fear and trembling. Add nothing too it and take nothing away from it. Point the people toward the Saviour and do not seek to make men comfortable in their sin, or disguise the covetousness of their hearts with worldly teachings.

The way of truth is being maligned in our day Christian, do not suppose that the men of this generation have managed to avoid the snare which has caught so many that went before us. Take heed lest you also fall into their deceptive ways.

Bless you