TODAY I AM GOING to tell you what you won’t often hear sitting in an air-conditioned seat at church, or watching those guys on television preaching from their massive arenas.
Belief in Jesus does not mean you’re going to heaven any more than the notion that demons who also believe in Jesus will join you there. James 2:19-20
Of course, the promise of a free gift, as stated in John 3:16, is succinct in its twenty-five words. And it does on the surface sound complete.
But most of us know there’s usually a catch when a free gift sounds too good to be true.
However, when you hear about this free gift every Sunday morning, it is easy to believe it is the whole truth.
I guess if Jesus had the overhead most American churches have, he might have preached about how easy it is to inherit the kingdom of God. But, if church membership and tithes were the points of his joining humanity, Jesus probably would not have taken his first followers away from their careers as fishermen, tax collectors, and such.
Instead, he would have had them keep their jobs to beef up the treasury.
Knowing about the love of money and power held in the heart of the rich young ruler, Jesus would have not told him to give everything away to the poor and then to “come and follow me” when asked how to inherit the kingdom of God. Mark 10:17-27
He would have stroked the guy’s ego, praised him for his righteousness and obvious success in life, and put the man on the church expansion committee.
Jesus talked about believing in him, but he never instructed those he met to pray the “evangelical sinner’s prayer” in order to receive the free gift of salvation and have all their sins forgiven.
That notion was added long after the church became a business, with programs and salaries to fund.
I know it doesn’t sell well to preach what Jesus really taught, which wouldn’t be “I am Second” or even “I am Third”, but more like “I am Nothing”. John 3:30
I know it might be difficult to get followers if the message was ‘Love God more than you love your possessions, power, and prestige, and love others more than you love yourself.’ 1 John 2:15
I think we’ve traveled so far from the narrow road Jesus talked about, that if he were to preach next Sunday morning with his message, “Go and Sin No More” or “What Taking Up Your Cross Really Means”, he would not be asked to return. John 8:11
Jesus told the whole truth when he talked about what believing in him really meant. He talked often about the cost of entering the kingdom of God, and it was so much more than the “get out of jail free card” found in a watered-down gospel.
So, if you want to belong to him and if you’re willing to follow him, where do you think he’s going to lead you? Keep in mind you’re carrying your own cross, which should give you a clue.
You’re not on your way to a picnic.
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels–a plentiful harvest of new lives.—Jesus (John 12:24 NLT)
Matthew 7:21, Luke 6:46, Mark 2:15, Matthew 16:24-26, Luke 7:9, Mark 10:52, Matthew 4:18-20
As always, it is my intent and hope that my words may encourage you wherever you are in your journey.
Please share your thoughts in the comments below or go to the group tab above to share your own experience. It only takes a minute of your time to register (and you can be anonymous), and your words may help others.
If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.–Jesus(Mark 4:23)
WOW. I always thought your chronicles were honest but you just out did yourself.
Thank you.