"I will not apologise for the real Jesus." This phrase occured to me the other evening as I was out walking and praying. I had been recalling in my mind the many "Christian" leaders I had seen on TV talk shows and radio shows and how disappointed I was by some of the things I heard. Why is it we feel the need to apologise for the real Jesus? The Jesus of the bible.
It is only ever the real Jesus that we need to apologise for it seems. The Jesus who teaches homosexuality is wrong. The Jesus who talks of sin and an eternity in Hell for all who do not bow the knee to him. Why is it that we feel under pressure about this truth? The answer was in the end simple. The world hates Jesus. They can take certain fragments of his teaching when convenient but they in reality, they hate him. His existence pricks their conscience and they know he is the Lord of LORDS yet they stand in open rebellion to him. And because Jesus, as he is portrayed in the bible, is so sickening for this post-modern world, we try to major only on his popular teachings so as not to lose those we're talking too.
But if we do that. We break the second commandment. We call our God Jesus but he is a Jesus of our own imagination. We have made an idol for ourselves by softening off the harder edges of the real Jesus.
You will never win the lost until you rely unashamedly on the truth of the gospel. The gospel is only good news once God has convicted someone of their sin. Until then the message of the cross will be foolishness to them. You'll not be popular if you preach that message- but you'll be right. Commit yourselves today to put yourself last and Jesus first. Put your trust wholly in him not just intelectually in him.
Do not apologise for the real Jesus! It was the real Jesus that saved you!
Re:formation is a group of young people who believe passionately in a high view of scripture and a low view of man. Desiring theology and preaching above emotion driven cliche's. They aim to produce music that is both theological and God honouring. If you would like to be kept updated email reformationband@ymail.com
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Quick question from a missionary who is conservative in theology. You speak of never winning the lost until you rely unashamedly on the truth of the gospel. I agree. Now, what is the gospel? Did Jesus every preach about hell to unbelievers or was it to his disciples that He spoke of the reality of hell? Was preaching against homosexuality part of His gospel?
ReplyDeleteSomething to think about.
Joe
Joe, Thank you brother for you message! What is the gospel? Could there be a more important question?
ReplyDeleteYou asked two questions the first of which was did Jesus teach about hell to unbelievers or just his desciples- I am not sure who he spoke more about it too, but because Hell is in the bible clearly I do believe it should be preached on when it is there. Was preaching against homosexuality part of his gospel? No, but it is again biblical, in sharing my faith I would never go down the homosexuality route, its a little bit off topic.
What is the gospel? Well, the gospel needs to have two elements to it in my view. Sin and then the gospel. You need to tell someone who doesn't know that they are sinners before a Hoy God- so they know what they are saved from.
By the way, please may I pass on my great respect for what you do. God Bless you brother
Jason Ramsey
Re:formation
reformationband@ymail.com