Has the church of Jesus Christ bought into the lies of the world that Jesus isn’t enough? That to serve Him wholeheartedly was a setback to real success? In order to make it we need to be relevant, have balance, do crossover music to be accepted? Tone down the Name of Jesus? Don’t take the Bible literally? From the looks of things lately, it sure does seem so.
Preachers have become so relevant that sin is no longer what God says it is, but what society and government say it is. After all, if you can’t beat them, join them. It will make life easier. But easier for whom? Jesus couldn’t be relevant, yet He was considered an outcast by religious folks. He embraced the sinner, but was never contaminated by them. He preached the same message to the sinner and the saint. Relevant folks despised and rejected His message, the lost embraced it. The problem Jesus had, is the same problem truly surrendered Christians are encountering today. Religious folks don’t want the Truth to get out. It goes against their theology of compromise.
Christians who succumb to the pressure to dumb down their message, do not understand what it means to be born again. The love of money and the desire to be accepted has dried up the best among us. Secret sins by those in prominent positions is as the apostle Paul wrote, “making the things of God ineffective.” Why should anyone believe us when we speak of what the righteousness of Christ requires? Every other day a preacher is making headlines and not in a good way. We have definitely bought into the world’s narrative that Jesus isn’t enough. If you pay attention to some preachers and Christians, you’d be hard pressed to find out who they’re talking about. They’re not persuaded that He is able. Their go-to isn’t Jesus first. He’s the afterthought when what they’re trusting in doesn’t work. He’s the backup plan.
We learn this by studying the life of the Pharisees in Jesus’ day. They had many sick people among them, but never sought to make life better for them. Yet when Jesus showed up and healed them, they accused Him of breaking sabbath laws. It didn’t matter that lives were forever changed. It was their way or the highway. We’ve forgotten that we’re in the world but not of it. We don’t like confrontation so we bury the Truth of the Gospel. We want to keep our jobs, so we see injustices and look the other way, claiming it’s not our business. People are dying in their sins because we are ashamed of being identified with Christ. We have bought into the lies that Jesus isn’t enough.
There’s a time to be silent and a time to speak up. The Holy Spirit is the wisdom and knowledge within us. He’s the One who provides the opportunity and trusts us not to punk out but be bold and stand out. We’re afraid of persecution. But the world doesn’t care that you compromise, it just wants you to shut up about Jesus. We must pick a side and stick with it no matter what. Jesus warned us it wouldn’t be easy, but He promised backup. We are told to love not the world or it’s niceties. It’s a trap. The world doesn’t love us, no matter what they tell you. We’re not in the same kingdom.
“Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost. By your patience possess your souls.”
Luke 21:10-19 NKJV
The decision to come out and be separate or set apart is paramount for us. No matter the cost or pushback. The world may be well meaning but trying to represent Jesus without Jesus is a dead end street. You may become successful but at what cost? Preachers or Christians without character are powerless to resist sin. I recently read an article about a member of the band Skillet. He was encouraged to tone down his mentioning of Jesus. Here’s an excerpt of the conversation.
Skillet frontman John Cooper recently shared details about a time when he was told to "disassociate from Christianity" if he wanted to become truly successful in his career.
During a recent interview with Focus on the Family, Cooper revealed that a decade ago, a businessman tried to explain how much potential Cooper had but the caveat was that he should stop focusing on Jesus.
"After a gig, we were on tour with some mainstream acts ... very popular acts. We were opening," Cooper told Focus on the Family. "And we were just beginning to kind of hit a little bit. This guy, in his defense, was being very nice. I mean, he singled me out and he pulled me aside and said, 'John, I wanna tell you this 'cause no one else was gonna tell you. You guys, I believe, could be the biggest band in the world. I think you could be the next biggest band in the world. You guys have the look. You've got the sound. You've got girls in your band.'"
Then the gentleman warned Cooper about his Christian faith, which the man contended was holding him back from real fame.
"And he said, 'You guys also sing about very spiritual things. People really want spiritual music and you've already got it. You've been doing it,'" Cooper continued. "'So, it's your time but you have got to disassociate from Christianity. You've got to stop talking about Jesus so much. Don't do Christian interviews. Don't do Christian music festivals. If people ask you what your song's about, I'm not telling you to lie. Just don't offer up the information about Jesus.'" End of quote. Source:CBN News
Wow! And it’s still happening today. Talk about God all you want, just leave Jesus out of it. Isn’t that what Christianity is about? There would be no salvation without Jesus. But so many have taken the bait of Satan and are doing the crossover thing. You’ll hear it at the club and you’ll hear it at church. They claim they’re reaching a wider audience. I used to go to the club. The words didn’t matter, the beat did. Who are we kidding here? Great talent for sure, but no anointing. Last week I shared that if you want to do greater works, be filled with the Holy Spirit. I shared scriptures to show what that looked like. We become effective witnesses. Read the book of Acts again.
Here’s the eye opening take away from the article, and it’s a trap most Christians fall into including some pastors. The Bible never taught success independent of the Lord. He clearly stated that He gave power to get wealth as long as we remember Him. He also stated that there’s a purpose for getting wealth and that there’s no sorrow added.
Deuteronomy 8:18; Proverbs 10:22
And then he said something else. And this is what got me. This is what I think is interesting. He said, 'But, John, think about the good you could do for your faith if you got rich and famous. Think about what you could do for Jesus if you stopped talking about Jesus.'"
Thank Jesus Cooper didn’t take the satanic advice! But how many have? Anything worth keeping is worth fighting for. Is that your position as a Christian? It comes at a cost but it’s worth it. If we fall for the lies, then as Pastor Wagner said, then we have missed the words of Psalm 103:1-5. We have forgotten His benefits. The enemy of our souls likes dangling old carrots that appear fresh. But look closely, it’s plastic. Fake and phony. Let’s wake up my brothers and sisters. We’re not ignorant about his tactics. He’s the same old devil with the same tired tricks. Don’t fall for it. Make these verses your words to live by.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.”
Proverbs 3:5-8 NKJV
“Moral deterioration is always a record of heart alienation from God.” Jesse Duplantis
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant
September 29, 2021