In recent years, I've spent a considerable amount of time trying to make sense of the mixed messages that are being sent by Christian leaders. I find myself tempted to divide these men into two categories - "progressive" and "conservative". While these distinctions may prove to be helpful in some ways since we all understand their meaning as they pertain to politics, I believe they cause more confusion than clarity when introduced into Christianity.
You see, amongst Christians, there is no "progressive" or "conservative" Christianity. There is only Christianity. It seems that we have added these descriptors where the Bible needed none. In the Gospels, we see the life that Jesus lived. We get a clear picture of what Christ looked like. In the Epistles, we have the life of Jesus explained. We get a clear picture of what His life means for us. The things that we are to say, think and do have been both modeled for us and explained to us.
So, why the confusion? Why the mixed messages? Why the seeming incompatibility from people who claim to be on the same side?
Well, the answer is simple, but it is very troubling. You see, these mixed messages are not two sides of the same coin. They are different coins altogether. One is the genuine article, true Christianity, and one is a counterfeit and preaches a false Christ.
Jesus made this clear in His parable that we call "The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares". You will find it in Matthew 13:24-30. The tares (weeds) are sown into the field by an enemy in an attempt to corrupt the farmer's harvest. He says, "an enemy has done this". But the farmer is wise enough to allow the weeds to grow, undisturbed, along with the wheat. He does this in order to preserve his wheat so as to maximize his harvest. The parable is explained a few verses later in Matthew 13:36-43.
While it may look to us as if the weeds might overwhelm the actual harvest, know that the farmer has a wise plan and that His harvesters will separate them all in the end. Some of what is taken up will prove to be false and will go into the fire. And some of what is taken up will prove to be genuine and will go into His barn.
So, how do we discern these mixed messages today? What is genuine? What is counterfeit? Concerning the messengers...Who is wheat? Who is tares?
In our context, many of these questions can be answered by asking a very simple question. Knowing that this world hates God and is running away from Him as fast as it can, ask yourself this...Does this message endear me to the people of this depraved culture -or- Does this message disgust the people of this depraved culture?
If the world approves of it, you can be certain that God does not!
At that point, there is a clear distinction. And that distinction leaves you with one more question left to ask yourself...Do I love this world -or- Do I love God?
HINT - "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." - I John 2:15
Pastor Jeremy
