I recently was reading a biography of John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement as well as some writings of others such as Jonathan Edwards. Lately I’ve taken interest in some of the earlier Reformers. As I’ve been reading about them, I’ve noticed their tone and the seriousness of their perspective of the wrath of God. It seems that their tone is a lot different from our current generation. Their preaching was filled with the reality of the Wrath of God and the impending judgment for those who do not make Jesus the Lord of their lives. What I’ve noticed about some of the preaching of the day is that it’s a diet or watered-down version of the Gospel. The preaching today tends to lean more towards the love of God. Don’t get me wrong, God does love us and that truth is evident in the scriptures. In Jeremiah 31:3 the scriptures declare, “The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying, “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness, I have drawn you.” Again, in John 3:16 Jesus Himself says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” It’s clear, God loves us.
It is also clear in the scriptures that there is a penalty for those who reject the free gift of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ after receiving knowledge of the Truth. Hebrews 10:26&27 says, “For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgement and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVESARIES.” (NASB) It seems that there is very little preaching on the judgment and penalty of Sin. I’m not saying that preaching must be filled with total fire and brimstone. What I am suggesting is that our preaching be a balance of Truth, a balance of Love and Judgment. Could it be that the society that we live in and the culture that we are so engulfed in, is in the shape that it's in because of the lack of balanced preaching? What are the consequences of unbalanced preaching? Preaching that only includes the love of God, presents an incomplete picture of God. It presents a picture of God that implies that there is no consequence for sin. It can possibly lead people down a path that is laced with comfort, and self-gratification that ultimately ends in an eternity separated from the God that they desire love. It neglects to inform people their dire need to be saved from their sin. On the other hand, if all that is preached is hell fire and brimstone, it’s possible to push people away from a Holy and Righteous God who desires an intimate relationship with a sinful people, so much so that His love has compelled Him to make a way for their sin to be paid for. God has called us to impact the world that we are in and not of. This impact comes through the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Discipleship through the learning and obedience to the totality of Holy Scripture. If we’re going to be effective and accomplish what God has called all of us to do, there must be a balance. We must present the authentic and pure Word of God in its totality, so men and women, boys and girls will know that we are all in need of a Savior, and God has loved us so much so that He’s provided us Salvation through His only begotten, the LORD Jesus Christ (John 3:16). What are your thoughts? Comment below.
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AuthorHusband, Father, Red-Letter Christian, Preacher of the Gospel. Archives
June 2021
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