The Danger of a Toothless Message

No one lays down their life for an option or personal opinion that has no consequence. 

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Perhaps in some ways, we have allowed our spiritual teeth to be pulled. As a result, we can succumb to only gumming soft and easily digested portions of a greater truth, some of which is uncomfortable to hear in a culture that demands an unhealthy inclusiveness, even with our theology.

Jesus and His disciples issued warnings in their conversations. Paul and other New Testament writers did likewise. Warnings require the teeth of truth to make their delivery. In some circles of faith, the Gospel sounds like it has been reduced to a version of John Lennon’s song, Imagine.

“Imagine there’s no heaven

It’s easy if you try

No hell below us

Above us only sky

Imagine all the people

Living for today.”

Warnings have always been part of the redemptive message. We are warned of things that have immediate and eternal consequences. These consequences have motived 2,000 years of life-sacrificing missionary service. Without warnings, our message is incomplete – a toothless representation. No one lays down their life for an option or personal opinion that has no consequence.

Jesus laid down His life to save us from something, not just make us better people. The love of God makes us willing to do anything, including issuing a loving warning to those heading toward an eternal cliff of no return. Love, love with teeth, warns. It doesn’t just imagine.

 

 

This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Garris Elkins

Featured Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

 

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About the Author

Garris Elkins is a Kingdom Winds Contributor. He and his wife, Jan, serve the global Church through writing, speaking, and mentoring. They live in southern Oregon, tucked away in the foothills of the Rogue Valley. Their shared desire is to have each person learn how to hear the heart of God and become a transforming voice in their culture.