Pragmatism vs. Biblical Expository Preaching
Matthew 7:11-13
"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him. Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."
Jesus takes an ancient axiom that was always given from a passive negative energy and instead makes it an active positive force in the life of a Christian. This "golden rule" isn't a principle for pragmatic thinking, this is about to become the foundation for life everlasting power, and he's therefore preparing his followers for commitment and consecration. He's about to set forth "The Way" and he's going to narrow it down for them. And so, there needs to be an understanding that the source of eternal life and happiness is more than simply providing a religious experience or a survival of the fittest pathway for pragmatic living.
The apostle Paul joins this theme as he warns against the false promises of the easy living gospel.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
"Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."
Paul is very careful to warn the churches against false hopes given by teachers and prophets who draw away people with half-truths and imaginary utilitarian hopes.
Ephesians 5:2-6
"walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."
If the church is going to know God's will and live in "The Way", it must have a high view of scripture and the essential messages of the gospel. In just a few verses Jesus is going to warn that not every one that says, "Lord, Lord," is going to enter the kingdom of heaven. This is why Paul's letters became scripture readings from the beginning of the first churches. His living faith instructions carried the weight of truth and inspiration, and they were used to build up faith and godly living among the new believers. And he never led any away from the true path with an easy gospel. Being saved entails much more than just going forward and repeating a prayer of salvation. That is where it often begins, but it is a changed life, and a strict obedience to the word of God. And Paul (and Jesus), laid out nonnegotiable terms for holy living.
Galatians 5:19-21
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
The issue with the modern church of relativism today is the concern of the church is not staying focused upon a high view of God, but instead focused upon meeting the needs of the people. It's irreverent and irrelevant. It's the "feel good" church of socialism and psychology. It's the watered-down preaching of the gospel. And they think God will receive them despite the fact that they are living horrible and wicked lives. They do not take God seriously when he says that the gate is strait, and the way is narrow.
Jesus says, "If any man come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me." (Luke 9:23)
That's it.
No other path.
Deny the self.
Take up your cross.
Follow Him.
Our bodies of wickedness and sin must be crucified with Christ.
The word the gospel writer Luke uses is "agonizomai".
"Strive to enter into the strait gate."
It's the word we get agonize from. It's supposed to be hard. Overcoming the flesh is hard. If it's not difficult you're probably failing.
The world is trying to break down the doctrinal walls of decency and righteousness, and their false teachings are trying to get us to accept all types of unscriptural behavior. And God is giving them over to their sin, and it's not going to go well for them.
Psalm 73:18-19
"Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors."
Matthew 7:13
“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way."
One path is narrow with few people walking it. The other is broad and very popular. One, you are walking alone. The other, you are walking with The Lord by your side. The two paths lead to opposite destinations, one destruction, the other eternal life.
You have to have a much higher view of God, personal holiness and sound doctrine if you hope to walk in "The Way".
Pragmatism is the notion that the meaning of life or our self-worth is determined by practical consequences. But spiritual and biblical truth is not determined by testing what "works" and what doesn't. Pragmatism as a test of truth is nothing short of satanic. Pastors and church leaders today are turning to books on marketing in search of new techniques for helping their churches to grow. They've chosen the methodologies of the world over the word of God. They are the product of the seminaries who have shifted their pastoral training emphasis from Bible curriculum and theology to counseling techniques and church-growth theory. They teach some "truths" as they offer their false gospels. They amuse and entertain the people and feed them with pop-psychology. These "preachers" and "teachers" make salvation possible for everyone with limited agony. The idea is that they'll be ready to receive biblical truth in small, diluted doses if they are first made cozy and comfortable in and of themselves. There is no cross to pick up. In fact, they never have to leave their seats.
Today, plainly declaring the truth of God's Word is regarded as offensive and utterly ineffective. And there are no signs that this is going in any other direction than on to the highway to hell.
On which path are you walking and talking today?
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