the basic message #E251
3/7/04
Have you ever cried out to God, "Am I saved?" I'll bet God gets tired of me asking him that question, but I'll keep on asking it until I get a solid "yes" from him. I've had fellow Christians get upset with me for feeling this way, but I do so without apology. I just want to know for sure, and quite frankly I'm more than a little surprised that very few other people feel the same way.
I've come to believe that the majority of the modern Christian Church is simply an updated version of the Pharisees from long ago. I don't mean that they have the same theological views, but I do suggest that the way they conduct themselves has many parallels. Jesus had plenty of negative things to say about the Pharisees in the 23rd chapter of Matthew, and I think he would have much to say about the modern Christian church that isn't very complementary. Like what?
Matthew 23:5
"Everything they do is done for men to see.........."
Turn on the TV and start flipping channels. My local cable provider (Charter, which is lousy) features many "Christian" programs. Very few seem to be genuine. Take a look at some of the programming and see what's on. You've got your Benny Hinn's that will give you a miracle in short order for a reasonable contribution, you've got your Ken Copeland's and Creflo Dollar's that promise you material things for a reasonable contribution, you've got dozens of pastors that shepherd mega-churches with thousands of members that represent nothing more than spiritual fast-food, and you've got your D. James Kennedy types that simply hate anyone that holds a view that differs from his own.
Matthew 23:13
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves to not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to."
Call me judgmental, but I don't think D. James Kennedy will enter Heaven, and every week he shuts the kingdom to thousands of others who accept his teachings. Kennedy has become empowered over the past 25 years or so, and he has begun to really believe the nonsense he preaches. It's a sad thing when preachers get the "Rush Limbaugh" syndrome. They get so much praise and adoration in their careers that they begin to think they can walk on water. Many of them have added a new Gospel to the Bible. Whether it's the Gospel of Kennedy or the Gospel of Copeland, they're all dangerous to the souls of true Christians. I've been a supporter of Jimmy Swaggart for years, but I've recently had to withdraw my support of the Swaggart organization because of Swaggart's wife and son's acidic viewpoints. I honestly think Jimmy Swaggart preaches a good message, but Francis Swaggart and Donnie Swaggart are "shutting the kingdom in men's faces".
Matthew 23:29-30
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."
The American Christian church has become the ultimate stage. People enter the doors each week and know the right things to say and do. Calling each other "brother" or "sister" has little to do with righteousness, but apparently it makes people feel better about their relationship with God. I see people on TV sitting in large congregations feverishly scribbling notes as the pastor speaks, but where are those people on Monday morning? I'm serious- if we're such a nation of devout Christians, where is the practical Christianity on Monday morning? I have a Christian friend who observes all of the rules and regulations of his denomination. He will witness to anyone at anytime, and I must say, he is faithful to his church. He does have one problem, though. He has a hard time holding a job simply due to his casual attitude about work schedules and work ethics. I look at his life and I'm impressed until I study his work habits. His Christian witness comes up tarnished simply because he doesn't give his employer their money's worth.
Christianity must be balanced. Are any of us perfect? Heck no, but striving for a reasonable balance in our Christian walk must be achieved. I often find it very difficult to square management decisions with Christian obligations, but I must continue to ask the Lord how to handle it. Many Christian managers have taken the following viewpoint: "Well, someone has to be in management, and a Christian just has to do the best he can and still turn a profit." I'm sorry, folks, but there is absolutely nothing in the Bible that says a Christian has any obligation other than following the instructions of the same Jesus Christ they profess an absolute belief in.