What?… surely it’s about getting converts right? Well yes of course – but we want real converts not people wanting a piece of the action. Christians are not salesmen trying to convince people they need something just because they will get riches in heaven – this is not Amway, but it seems like the church has been heading that way for many years – making merchandise of men.
Jesus was no Rob Bell
Jesus never told inspirational stories like the ones in self help books (though they were inspired), or preached on 10 ways to get rich quick, how to name it and claim in, reach oneness with God by mediation on His word or how to reach your life’s calling. Your calling is made very clear; to love and serve God with all your heart mind and soul – whatever that means and wherever it takes you – even if it means death to all your earthly dreams and costs your life as it did Jesus.
Remember Jesus told us; “you will be hated by all men for my sake.” This means we will be hated by most people for telling them the truth. We must preach the truth in season and out of season and in truth. The love part gets very confused because it’s not loving to NOT tell people the truth, to water it down or to mix it with lies. A half truth is a full lie.
Now I agree we must preach with sensitivity – but not always towards peoples feelings necessarily, because NO ONE likes hearing the truth – not me (I’ll admit it) – and not even preachers, but sensitivity to the situation and people’s problems. For instance – it’s not good going to Haiti where there’s just been an earthquake and wearing a billboard saying they’re all going to hell if they don’t repent. In this situation, obviously showing these poor people the love of God by actually serving and helping their physical needs would be far better. This is what The Bible says when it says; “all things to all people.” You must meet someone on their level without sinning.
Sensitive yes – but not by not telling the truth!
But a bunch of rebellious college students who know better and have grown up in prosperity and around the teachings of Christianity all their life – these people may (or may not – this is where you need to be sensitive) need to hear the plain unvarnished truth. Sometimes it’s the only thing that will work – but the point is – not always. Jesus spoke to different people in different ways – but he wasn’t a salesman trying to get bums on seats and fill his coffers – no he was only interested in saving their souls, even if it meant he had to be a pauper.
What is real love?
Jesus rarely taught about ‘love’ as we think of love – He showed us what love is by dying for us in our place – that is love. To him – love was telling them the error of their ways – rebuking them and warning them that there really was a hell and that he didn’t want any to go to the place where God never dwells evil is left to it’s own device. Whether hell lasts forever or not, we can debate for hours but that is not the point here. Jesus he spoke more on hell than heaven. I mean think about it; what can you do with people that don’t want to know God, and go out of their way to avoid Him and are always looking for loopholes in His laws (the ten commandments) rather than wanting to be obedient and even ignore their own conscience and thirst for righteous?
Giving people their heart’s desires
Is it just to give such people eternal life? Is it wise or even possible to have a marriage to a person that doesn’t want anything to do with you? So how can God be married to such a bride? And yet these people want to live forever and we know God grants us our hearts desires! All I am saying is it’s a very sobering thought to think about living forever in a place where God and His laws have been completely removed and men are free to pursue all their wicked desires. Let’s just hope hell isn’t forever.
God wouldn’t allow such suffering as hell
Many Christians say that hell cannot exist because God would not allow people however bad to suffer in such a way. Really? Well I have some news; he already does allow the innocent – men, women and children to suffer in terrible and unthinkable ways here on this earth, at the hands of the wicked! So then, if He allows that for the innocent, to prove that man’s form of governance and methods to procure peace (eventually this will be by total surveillance and forced allegiance to this system) will never work longterm – i.e once a dictator gets hold of this total power – if he allows the innocent, or at least those that have not broken man’s laws to suffer, what would then justice be for the wicked? Again – I don’t have all the answers but it’s a sobering thought.
The fact is, something has gone seriously wrong with many (not all clearly) modern preachers just as Jesus said it would. It’s become business, buildings and coffers first, and truth second and we must seek to reverse this trend if we are to show real love.
I love God, Christ, The Bible. art, painting, playing music, improvising music, guitar (first instrument), drumming (not very good at it:), and anything musical or art related. Quick note – my articles are usually spun off in minutes so forgive any errors – hopefully you get the essence of the article and I’ll pick up mistakes later. If you want to write of 101ChristianMagazine and inspire and edify Christians with articles on faith, general news, hobbies or anything that interests you email me at: epgb101@gmail.com:)
