Christianity is presented as happy, clappy religion where we invite and attract people by assuring that it will be a problem free, sickness free, financially prosperous, with all dreams coming true. People have a wrong understanding of what Christianity is and who Christ is because they are not accurately informed and explained about the need of repentance and forgiveness from sins. As a result, we have more religious Christian consumers who have downsized the demand of denying themselves, taking up the cross and following Christ (Matthew 16:24). I call them consumers because they believe they are obliged only to be receivers. Probably, they were promised that if they come to Christ, visit Church regularly and pay the offerings they would have a luxurious and absolute problem free life.
Jesus’ call demanded repentance and assurance of the kingdom of God. The gospel writers record Jesus’ first and ongoing message of repentance, “From then on, Jesus began to preach, “Repent because the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4:17). He never invited anyone to follow Him by promising healing and financial breakthroughs. In fact, Jesus was giving the hard pill to swallow for people who were carried away by His miracles than His preaching. Do you remember what He said to the one who came out of nowhere and expressed to follow Him? Luke 9:58 states, “And Jesus said to Him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the son of man has nowhere to lay his head.”.
We today have invented something called sinner’s prayer. We tell people if they lift their hands to say yes to God, repeat a prayer and accept Him as the Savior all is done. Following the advice, many who have done so, from the very next day expect all miracles to happen and all their desires to be fulfilled in succession. When it does not happen, they are disappointed and slowly fall back. The need for repentance is usually downplayed. What saves people is acknowledging they are sinners, facing consequence for their sins, accepting the forgiveness of sins by believing in Christ, forsaking the sins they were committing and follow Christ Jesus. This is what we find in the greatest verse - John 3:16, which talks about a God, the sacrifice of His son Jesus and an assurance that whoever believes in Him and that they will not perish but will have eternal life.
All those who misunderstood the core message of Christ went disappointed, for example the young rich man who left Jesus grieved (Matthew 19:22), the powerful king Herod who wished to be entertained by Jesus performing a miracle for Him (Luke 23:8) was disappointed when it did not happen and then the large crowd who stopped following because they felt it was too difficult to follow (John 6:66) Christ’s teaching.
Jesus was unapologetic when He said, “Therefore I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.” John 8:24. Speak the right message, don’t just invite people to the Church. Talk about repentance and not false assurance of financial prosperity. Jesus never promised a trouble-free life. In fact, He promised that we will have troubles. Only the message of repentance will bring a sense of remorse.
I want to draw your attention to the story of Jonah and remind you that God relented and forgave the people of Ninevah when they responded to the right message. The Bible states, “Jonah set out on the first day of his walk in the city and proclaimed, “In forty days Ninevah will be demolished!” Jonah 3:4. When people heard it, they collectively repented. It says “Furthermore, both people and animals must be covered with sackcloth, and everyone must call earnestly to God. Each must turn away from his evil ways and from his wrongdoing.” (Jonah 3:8). Did you notice that the king commanded this and most importantly emphasized that all must turn away from their evil ways and from their wrongdoing?
Churches and Christians, please don’t allure people with false message of prosperity, happiness and blessings alone. Only when people respond to the call of repentance, their lives are saved and transformed. They will respond positively to the great commission. Till then people will continue to visit Churches singing ‘Oh happy day’, pay some offerings and run away uncommitted.
You may read the last blog HERE