Christianity: the message has to change

For years the preaching from many church platforms has been tailored to integrate with the rich, easy lifestyle the western world has enjoyed for decades. People were told for years that trust in Jesus will give a better life (though many non-believers were already happy with theirs). Christians were told that Jesus would bring even more affluence to an already-easy western lifestyle.

By this writer's observation, in thinking, speech and actions, today's "believers" expect to be served rather than to serve. They have been taught that Jesus will house them in Comfort Crescent. It has resulted in spiritual "fat cats" who have never really understood what following Jesus is about. Their faith will collapse like a two-dollar suitcase in hard times.

The "better life" message has to change because it is fast becoming irrelevant, It has been overtaken by world events which have brought financial chaos to western democracies.

People are in trouble, losing jobs, being hurt and stressed by world events. What must happen is a return to Bible truth on church platforms. The message must be to expect hard times, and warn folks of the coming "solution" then enslavement for those who embrace the New World Order, Also the churches need to show from the Bible that true faith in Christ will bring anyone who believes through any hardship. The true Christian always has light at the end of the darkest tunnel. The Apostle Paul said: "To live is Christ, and to die is gain."

The real Jesus has nothing to do with financial prosperity or easy living. His teaching was relevant whether a person was rich or poor, though at times Jesus challenged the rich.

When Jesus was on Earth He never promised an easy life. However He was practicality with a capital P to the general public. He met people's needs, showed great wisdom in speech, spoke of God, healed the sick, cleansed the lepers, raised the dead. He said He and the Father were one, and proved it by deeds. He did what was humanly impossible and told the disciples and apostles they could do it too if they would trust Him. They believed it, and they copied Him. Read it in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the Book of Acts.

That is what should be happening today, and practised by the disciples of today.

Whether rich or poor, when people are sick they want to get well. This should be a major focus by the church now. Medical science has limits, but God does not. We read in the Bible that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever, but many of today's churchgoers think it is just words in a book.

At the first symptom of illness most of God's people run to the doctor first instead of to God's Word. (How can they respond differently if taught nothing else?) In many cases they are advised to do so by the pastor. Back at the church, "What medication are you taking?" is often the first response - this writer has experienced it. Where are the people of faith?

Often those suffering from demonic oppression are thought of by the pastor as being mentally ill. Instead of setting the person free as Jesus did, the pastor sends him/her to a psychiatrist or mental hospital. They have their place, but the problem is often spiritual and requires a spiritual answer.

When the general public sees the real Jesus presented and in action, millions will trust in him. It's time to abandon the traditions of men, stop packaging Jesus as a spiritual Santa Claus, and get back to the Bible.