Don't just ride the bus. Look out the window. You might be on the wrong road!

Today I am going to go WAY out on a limb and it may send many of you running far away never to return. But before you do, I’d like to ask you to at least make it all the way to the end of this post and then ask yourself, “Did he say anything that wasn't biblical?” If you believe the words of the bible then you need to do some serious reflection. Ask yourself, “Can I pick and choose the parts I like and ignore or set aside those I don’t?” “Am I really a Christian or am I just going through the religious motions?” If you’re still doubtful regarding the validity of the Bible or are not a believer then stick around for a few more weeks and we’ll do our best to change that.

Jesus the fair skinned, blue-eyed guy with long flowing hair and a gentle voice walks the streets of Jerusalem repeating the words, “Peace, love, happiness, and prosperity”. He loves you and is your “friend”. He wants to show you a “better way to live”. He came to bring peace to the world and unite people of all religions and teach us tolerance. He wants to take your ten-dollar donation "seed" and multiply it into a thousand dollars so you can prosper. We’re all “children of God”.

Hogwash! Is that too strong? Maybe, we’ll see.

Comfortable people sit in an air-conditioned arena with posh stadium seats (complete with a holder for their grande, half-skim, caramel latte with extra whipped cream) to hear what their itching ears want to hear. Articulate, handsome, and charismatic preachers bask in the applause and the accolade of the people and their books sit atop the best-seller list for weeks at a time. They preach a “Jesus-lite”, watered down, palatable version of the gospel leaving out anything that might offend or cause people to walk out or cease to “dig deep” into their wallets during the offertory. Meanwhile tens of thousands of people who do "church" are still dead in their sins and don’t know it or care not to admit it. They are riding down the road to destruction and the “church” is driving the bus.

Let’s listen to the words of the real Jesus of Nazareth:

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword . . . Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:34-38

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ . . . There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.” Luke 13:24-28

“For God so loved the world that he gave one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life . . . whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” John 3:16-18

Fire and Brimstone? No, just the rest of the story. The Gospel is "Good News" only because it is an answer for the bad news! So much to say and so little space! Here is the Gospel as clearly as I can put it forth. We are born with the seed of sin and are by nature, separated from God. (go back and read the “Veil” post). God is loving and compassionate but he is also holy and just. Justice demands a penalty and punishment for sin. The Bible says the penalty for sin is death and eternal separation from God in a place the prepared for Satan and his fallen angels – Hell. (sorry, his words not mine) God provided an answer for the sin problem and that was a substitute, someone to take our place, to take our punishment. God sent his Son Jesus (fully man and fully God, sinless, and willing to die for us). He was crucified, died, and buried. He rose from the dead on the third day, conquering death. When we gain or take a hold of that gift by faith in Jesus Christ then his righteousness is transferred to our account. We can’t do it by works or by “being good people”. When we trust Christ, God sees us as having no sin and therefore no condemnation. The Apostle John said “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children not born of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” David, did John mean that we aren’t all “Children of God”? Yes, that IS what he meant. He was saying we are all Gods creation but not all his children. We, by faith in Jesus are adopted into his family. We are “born again”. We have “eternal life”. We are made “new creations”. We therefore have “no condemnation”.

Faith is not a head-knowledge or intellectual assent like “Yeah, I believe that Jesus existed.”, but a reliance on him as your only hope. It is not gained by joining a church, signing a piece of paper, or walking forward for an altar call (although it could happen then for sure). It is not acquired by repeating a prayer. It is not the result of perfect church attendance or singing in the church choir or playing drums for the praise team. It is not acquired when your parents had you baptized as babies. It isn't the result of graduating from the seminary or buying a fish sticker for your minivan. It IS acquired by realizing your sinfulness and your need for a Savior. It IS acquired by repentance (the acknowledging of and turning away from sin). It is acquired by trusting in Jesus Christ as your substitute on the cross. Like I said last week, God is not interested in making you happy, comfortable, or rich. He is interested in your life! Not just the short one here on earth but more importantly, the eternal one after.

One last thing: Trusting in Christ is not a guarantee of a life of bliss here on earth and may, in some ways, bring some additional trials and persecution but it is LIFE itself and does guarantee an eternity of perfect peace with the God who made you. I share today not as one who is judging or self righteous but as one who knows his brokenness and his need. Hope you stick around until next week.

In Christ's Love, David