I am an avid listener to sports radio. One of the reason I listen to the morning show at WJOX Birmingham is because the hosts make no apologies for their belief in God. Yesterday the subject came up concerning how some people are turned away from the church because of the “holier than thou” attitudes of so-called believers. In many churches throughout our land, people are laden with feelings of guilt and preached down to. For example, “If you don’t change, you’re going to hell! Your mamas’ going to hell, all of you are going to hell!” Here’s a newsflash. They already know that! That’s why they came, so they could be taught another way. Proverbs 16: 21 says that the sweetness of the lips increase learning. Jesus never talked down to sinners when they came to Him for help. In fact, they were drawn to Him because of his kindness. He spoke to them on their level and His words lifted them up, healed them, delivered them. Then He said “Go and sin no more.” Jesus was more harsh on the religious people. Those who claimed the name of God but were far from His heart. I submit that is the real problem. Christians who don’t act Christ – like. Have you ever met a mean Christian? Now that’s an oxymoron!
There are many that believe that it is impossible to live right, therefore they don’t even try. Living holy is not walking around like you’re better than everyone else. It’s agreeing with what the Word of God says and aligning your life with what God has said. It does not happen overnight. Truth be told, every believer is struggling in some area, so let’s not act like we’ve been saved all of our lives and never do anything wrong.
Romans 8: 9-10 says if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead you will be saved. That includes saved from hell. We don’t change our ways to get saved, we change our ways because we are saved. Gone are the days of selling fire insurance at church. Obviously that hasn’t worked. Let’s show people that the faith walk is a process. Line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little; as we grow in the Word, then we begin to prosper in it. Let’s offer the sinner and our fellow believers hope instead of doom and gloom. There’s no better opportunity to do this than now, when the harvest is ripe.
© Fredrick F. Nicholson all rights reserved
