I know some are offended by what I have to say but that truly is what is wrong with churches today. I’m not saying they should try to offend more people. That’s not it at all. The problem is that the church, as well as many Christians today, are afraid to offend people. Jesus wasn’t afraid to offend the powers that be nor were his disciples and apostles. They spoke the words that needed to be spoken.
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me
John 15:18 ESV
before it hated you.”
When Jesus spoke the religious leaders shouted “BLASPHEMY!”. Not because what He said was against God…no…because what Jesus said was against THEIR teachings. Jesus was trying to get the Jewish faith back to the original Word and away from the traditions that had overtaken their faith.
“Yes,” said Jesus, “what sorrow also awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with unbearable religious demands, and you never lift a finger to ease the burden.”
Luke 11:46 NLT
One big difference between then and now though. In those days the religious leaders loaded down the people with their laws. Laws that God had not given but that man thought were needed. Today, religious leaders are trying to “ease the burden” on people by removing or twisting laws that God has given but they think is unimportant. In their rush to make Christianity “all inclusive” and “all accepting” they turn their backs on the teaching of God and doom the people they are supposed to be helping.
If your child wants to play in the street you wouldn’t give in because they cried and threw a tantrum. Would you? No. You would stand your ground because you knew what was best for them. The child doesn’t know. They just know that it would be fun and that’s all that matters to them. We as parents must look out for their well being despite the tears and tantrums. It is the same with the Church. The Church should be looking out for the people’s spiritual well-being and not giving in to their tantrums.
I don’t care if your mama said all you have to do is be a good person and you will get in Heaven. While that is part of it, it is not even close to being all of it. Hell is filled with “good people” (Matthew 19:16-26). Being a good person alone will not get you into Heaven. You must know and except Jesus as your Lord and Savior and only then may you enter.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 14:6 NKJV
Churches and church elders do a great disservice to people when they twist God’s laws and teachings to make Christianity more accepting of the perversions and teachings of this world. God is not accepting of such things and by teaching that He is they give people false hope that they can “have their cake and eat it too”. Oh what an awakening they will have when they end up in hell. But don’t worry…the church leaders will have to answer for it as well.
As a true Christian don’t try to offend people but also don’t be afraid to offend people. If you stay true to God’s word many will be offended but,as I like to say, “You might get offended but at least you will know the Truth!”
“Blessed are you when people hate you and when
Luke 6:22-23 ESV
they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.”