Jesus said to his disciples, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But at the judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. “Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” (Luke 10:13-16)
By Bishop Jarod Cruthis
It has always been a concern for me when I hear the resounding message from the Church appealing to the masses. When everyone from every background seems to relate without some controversy, there is a problem. Now don’t misunderstand, I don’t intentionally want to promote division, but I will say the Word can do that itself. Even Christ himself tells us that he did not come to bring peace. No, the message of the Gospel can be offensive, it cuts, but it always heals and saves. It’s the feel good, I’m okay and on my way gospel that has become one of the greatest weapons of the enemy in the modern Church. Many are teaching that anything goes. If it feels good, if it doesn’t hurt anyone, then by all means indulge. This is not, and I must repeat NOT the message of the Gospel.
There was a time that pastors still taught that Hell is a real place and judgment is imminent for all. There is a day coming that Christians will give an account for what they did with Christ, their gifts and callings. Now as the Scriptures teach, this is not a matter of Heaven or Hell but an account given of our life before our King. There is also another judgment for those who have rejected Christ and die without the free gift of salvation. This judgment is the one that should keep us up at night and grieve the spirit of all Christians.
Why such a heavy topic today? Because eternal separation from God is a weighty matter. Watering down the Gospel is even heavier, and losing our awe and wonder…our respect and honor for God the Father, the most costly. Where have we gone wrong that we no longer have a healthy fear, a reverence for God and His Word? Have we as a Church become so politically correct and conditioned that we no longer fear God, but fear man more? The Bible is so very clear on the matter. We are to fear the One who can cast both body and soul into Hell much more than we should fear the things of this world.
We never know when we will have the opportunity to share the Good News of Christ. We don’t realize the impact we can have on a lost soul in the right season. It’s time for the Church to return to her ancient roots and regain Her awe and wonder of our Glorious King.
Beloved, may we all see Him as children and be forever awestruck by His goodness, His love, and His mercy. May we take this wondrous Truth and share it with everyone and everywhere we go so that all will know the Jesus is Lord!