Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. - Luke 15: 7 (ESV)
I get asked the questions all the time. Is it worth it? What's the big deal? People are responsible for themselves, no? If Joe Falseteacher makes people feel better about themselves and throws out the name Jesus occasionally - isn't that enough? He's a real nice guy with a great big ole heart - can't you just leave him alone? No beloved, I cannot. The Bible specifically instructs me that I cannot on so many different levels:
He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. - Titus 1: 9 (ESV)
Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all,for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. - Acts 20: 26-27 (ESV)
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. - 1Timothy 4: 16 (NIV)
Allow me to lay this scriptural foundation. According to the Titus verse, as someone called to divide the Word of Truth, I am required by God to rebuke those who contradict sound doctrine. There is far too much "Kumbaya" in Christianity where leaders are afraid to call out false teaching when they hear it and the result is the leaven is ruining the whole batch. The verses from Acts is when Paul is saying goodbye to the elders at Ephesus and the implication of what he is saying could not be clearer. If he had changed the real Gospel of Jesus Christ at all and it resulted in someone not being saved, then there blood would be on his hands. The cold hard reality is there are a lot of false teachers today who are dripping with the blood of their victims. They will answer for every drop because God is always a just God. As if to reinforce that point, Paul instructs Timothy as he embarks on his own journey to be a pastor, that the very salvation of those who would listen to him preach is at stake. Think about that next time you want to use the pulpit to teach better marriage principles, or how to be more significant, or a seven part series on the hottest summer movies. That being said, there is a reason why it is worth it beloved. A reason to build upon this biblical foundation. The key verse reminds us of the proper scale we ought to be considering. We have fallen for the mega church mentality in this country where we think bigger is better. God does not operate as we do:
"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. - Matthew 7: 13-14 (ESV)
Narrow is the way and few are those who find it. Few. Not stadium filled amounts who want their itching ears scratched. Few. Heaven rejoices when one is saved not because it is difficult to be saved but because our sinful nature makes it so difficult to accept the free gift Christ offers us. So, I think it is vitally important to remember why it is that we do this. Why it is that we are in this great Christian experiment. If you go to most seeker friendly or purpose driven churches today they will preach sermons and sing songs about YOU. They will make no bones about the fact that it is all about you. Just look at some of the most popular "Christian" books. Destined to Reign. Unmerited Favor. Your Best Life Now. Become a Better You.
Christianity was not designed to be an exercise in narcissism. It was supposed to be about servanthood and humility. Where those that were last would now be first. Where those who sought the seats of honor would be removed to the seats of lower importance. Today's deep theology is this - Christianity is not about you. It is about Him. It is not about what we want but rather about what He has done. That all may come to the Father now and enjoy eternal life:
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. - 2Peter 3: 9 (ESV)
The Bible is a book about Jesus Christ and what He did for humanity. Once we are saved, the purposes of the kingdom are to see as many come to the same salvation that we enjoy. The church however has become enamored with itself. With motivating believers. With teaching secular leadership and self help principles. The entire purpose driven model is not designed to deal with salvation at all! Rick Warren refuses to call the unsaved, unsaved anymore. They are now the "unchurched." The emphasis is now on the importance of the church instead of the importance of salvation. Seeker friendly guru Andy Stanley is on record as saying the word "shepherd" should not be used anymore because it has no cultural significance. Joel Osteen has said that doctrine is not his "gifting." The church is simply not in the business of saving souls anymore.
What about all the altar calls preacher! What about them? They are not designed to deal with the matters of men's hearts. They are not designed to deal with the sin that shackles us to this world. They are designed to do one thing and one thing only - grow the church. Not the bride of Christ mind you - just that local church building. The unsaved come and hear a half hour of songs that glorify them, not God. About how much of a friend God is to them or about how much God loves them. The message is usually some generic staple of the culture they live in. Topics like sin and repentance are non starters because they are deemed seeker unfriendly. I mean, who wants to hear that they are a worthless sinner right? They want to hear they are the apple of God's eye. That they are the head and not the tail. That they are a lender and not a borrower. Hallelujah - pass the offering plate!
Then fast forward less than three years because that is now the average time someone spends in a mega church. They now have fallen away. Perhaps they are disillusioned because they are still the tail and not the head. Maybe they have tithed to avoid being cursed and they still are going bankrupt. Many in this spot never return to organized church. They are hurt too badly. Many will blame God and never return. I would wager the vast majority were never even truly saved. My hope is that discernment ministries efforts, such as my writing might impact someone before this critical point. To tell them that there is a real Savior. That He truly does love them and wants to save them. Not entertain them. Not to become their buddy and pal. Not to make them rich. Not to make them successful or even significant. To take their shackles off. To take that oppressive yoke of Satan off of their necks forever. To cover their sins and forgive them. Is it worth it? You bet it is. If one person can come out from among them. If one person can hear the real Good News of Jesus Christ and be saved. If only one more walks on the narrow path leading to life then there will be rejoicing in heaven and that one person is worth it. That one person has to be worth it. Because one crisp December day back in 2002, I was that one person and I was worth it to someone preaching the Gospel. I was that one person and I was worth it to Jesus. I know I did not deserve it but I was worth it and it is the least we can do for others who are still on the outside of our glorious salvation looking in. It is the least we can do.
Rev. Anthony.
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