Some Christian books and speakers use a “Bible light” approach. Don’t want to be too strong/open about the Lord’s way—that might not be appealing. And yet, what’s appealing or helpful if we don’t believe deeply enough in a message to “sell” it? I mean, would people get on board if we only halfheartedly recommended our doctor, car dealer, or chili recipe?
I’m considering these Scriptures: In Mark 8:38 Jesus said, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words,” then he’ll be ashamed of that person when he comes back. 2 Timothy 3:1 speaks of “terrible times,” and then verse 5 describes people in those times as “having a form of godliness but denying its power.” Since it goes on to say “Have nothing to do with such people,” it surely follows that we shouldn’t BE such people. When the crowds praised Jesus openly, it was the Pharisees who wanted them to pipe down. And Jesus said, “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:37-40) Then there’s Jesus’ rebuke of Revelation 3:15-17: “Because you are lukewarm . . . I am about to spit you out.”
If we’ve thought that a watered-down, limp view of the Lord/the Scripture will change lives, let’s think again. As Russell Moore says, “We cannot build Christian churches on a sub-Christian gospel. People who don’t want Christianity don’t want almost-Christianity.” (Onward, p 6)
