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The Dumbing Down of The Gospel Message

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Jeremiah 5:30-31: “A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?”

 

Our society has long been in a downward spiral. The decline in all facets of our American culture is most evident.

Consider the decay of morals and ethics. Observe the destabilization of the nuclear family. In many instances, schools and universities use the classroom to indoctrinate rather than truly educate. In government, statesmanship is rare. What exists are career politicians, men and women, who corrupt our form of government for their own gain. This chronic condition is due to our low expectations. Mediocrity has become the standard, permitting even lesser performance and behavior to be accepted.

Sadly, the same can be said of religion. The failure of religion, Christianity in particular, is an attributing factor our society’s decay. Yes, I said failure. America is in great peril.

As a whole, Christianity has failed to lift up Christ and to teach people how to live under the standard of holiness. It has lost its strong, clear, and certain voice. The effect is that several generations of Americans do not really know the Savior. They do not know the hope found in true salvation.

We live in a “dumbed-down” world. A world that is highly educated, but unable to reason or understand. A world with lofty ideals, but with low and compromised standards. A world where weak men appear strong and strong men are seen as tyrants.

Christianity has been affected. It is no exception. It has “dumb-downed” the message of the gospel.

A “dumbed-down” gospel is comprised of smooth preaching filled with error and deceit. Isaiah 30:9-11 reads, “That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.”

This type of preaching is derived from theology that permits or excuses sin, carnality and fleshly living. This theology fails to recognize the power of salvation to deliver a person from sin and make that person free. Such doctrine runs contrary to the message of our triumphant Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and the Apostles.

Paul plainly states in Rom 6:1-2, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” The same chapter closes with Paul declaring to the brethren in Rome, “For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The effect of a “dumbed-down” gospel message is devastating. It lowers the standard of holiness and lessens the requirements of God’s Word. It fails to establish the fear of God in a person’s heart. It fails to create faith in God. It leaves a person to their own reasoning and understanding.

Jeremiah 5:31 asks, “And what will ye do in the end thereof?” In the end a “dumbed down” gospel message creates a deceived, delusional, and depraved people, one generation after another. The evidence can be found across our nation, today.

The message of the gospel must be preached in very clear and certain way. It must be filled with the Holy Ghost and not laced with the compromise of social agenda and political correctness. There also must be a place for people to go and hear the message, and to learn the ways of the Lord.

Micah 4:2 declares, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

The Church of God is that place.

By Pastor K.A. Karns

The Importance of One Vote

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Wiping his forehead with his already damp handkerchief, Harry Burn listened to the shouts from the crowds of people below as he hid from sight in the hot, stuffy attic. Hours earlier he had entered the State Capitol Building, never imagining that the events to follow would lead him to his present perch, high above the city of Nashville.

At 24 years of age, Harry was the youngest legislator in the House of Representatives, a distinction which earned him the nickname “Baby Burns.” The oldest of four children, Harry was from East Tennessee, where his widowed mother oversaw the family farm.

Harry made his way to his seat on the House floor, a red rose pinned to his coat lapel symbolizing the direction he intended to vote. Two previous attempts had resulted in a tie, 48 – 48 and after much heated debate, this would be the last vote before the issue was tabled. But as he waited for roll call, Harry pulled a letter from his pocket, which he had received just that morning and pondered the words his mother had written. When his name was called his quietly uttered ‘Aye” shocked everyone present and with just one syllable, Harry’s vote broke the tie. Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, finally giving women the right to vote.

It had taken over 7 decades of struggle to reach this moment, including 6 previous denials from Congress and 35 states who ratified the proposal before Tennessee. It almost didn’t happen. Except Harry Burn considered his mother’s admonition to ‘be a good boy’ and weighed her advice against those who had threatened to end his political career.

Several months later Harry would win reelection, and his mother, Phoebe “Febb” Burn cast a ballot for the very first time at the age of 47. In the years to come Harry would introduce many other bills that would remove restrictions and polling taxes and make it easier for everyone to vote. Febb’s actual letter is preserved in the Knox County Library and there is also a statue of the mother and son located in Knoxville, Tennessee to commemorate the moment that changed the course of American history.

Harry’s historic vote took place exactly 100 years ago in August 1920 and as we approach the election this November, a century later, your vote is just as important. The suffragette’s fight was known as the “War of The Roses” and throughout history there have been other battles fought to obtain and keep our liberties and freedoms. Voting is not only a privilege, but a duty and an honor. Every vote truly does make a difference.

By R Trauger

Resources For Your Run

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There are so many parallels between physical running and life. Let’s consider in this article our course maker and what He provides to ensure our success as a runner.

God is our course creator, the master of directing a path and measuring our steps. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” (Psalm 37:23)

Can you picture God at His drawing board, taking such great care in the way He plans for you and being delighted by the perfection of that plan? Every direction He takes us intersects perfectly in His master drawing. Any hard climb, rocky terrain or sudden turn is included in His purpose.

These things will teach us how to be a better runner. As you run, pray for those things you need and know that God takes note of those requests. He will send you by a shady path when you’re overheated and tired.

He will give you a challenging climb when your mind starts to drift. He will guide you to water when you are depleted. Know that your prayers move God! Trust the course creator. He doesn’t make mistakes. Remember that He already sent His Son through the hardest course ever known to man.

What a reigning champion to look to! Jesus Christ, the same today as yesterday and forevermore. Jesus had His weak moments throughout His race as well. Two we know of: once after fasting alone in the desert for 40 days (Matthew 4:1-11) and again in the Garden of Gethsemane until His arrest and eventual crucifixion. Christ felt the lowest that any man could ever feel; He suffered the mental and physical pain of torture and the spiritual pain of all the sins of the world. Yet He prevailed over sin. His testimony is proof to us that we can be an overcomer through God in any difficulty. He gave so much help for us in His Word. The Bible is the best runner’s instructional to ever be written.

We also enjoy the benefits of God’s precious and faithful Spirit- His voice that comes to comfort us when we are weary and directs our steps. That gentle prodding to keep good form when we begin to lag behind, the correction when we veer from the trail or balk at what lies ahead. “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21) How can we fail if we use the tools God has provided?

Another priceless commodity is our running coach, our God-called pastor. The mouthpiece for the course creator, he spurs us on in our run toward eternity. How many times do we hear our coach calling out times from his stop watch, noting where we need to speed up and keep pace and where we need to conserve our strength for the run ahead. The ministry are the ones faithfully working with the runners, keeping us on schedule. They make the race practical for us. They get out there and do the hard runs with us, telling us how to keep better form, reminding us of the things we know but may have let slip in the heat of the run. Sometimes they are there with a cold drink of water to refresh us and at times they provide a stern talk if we feel like stopping. How faithful he is to each runner!

A good runner sees his coach as a blessing, not a bother. He knows no success without a great coach. “For he is the minister of God to thee for good.” (Romans 13:4)

When he led the children of Israel, Moses worked to coach a bunch of weak runners. They whined and spoke against their leader time and time again. How narrow-minded and small their vision was. They complained of their diet, the distance they had to go and at times stomped away from the race with the petulance of children. Because of their unfaithfulness many of them never reached their destination.

Use your coach for your help, trust the course creator and finish your race in victory!

By R. Smith

The Brave In Blue

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An individual vows an oath to serve his country. They wake up each day and puts on their uniform ready to report for duty- to serve and protect. This public servant goes to work each day never knowing the dangers that may put his life into harm’s way. These public servants deserve our respect and honor, and this respect and honor should come automatically with the position of authority that they have been granted.

A country without law and order is a world of chaos and insecurity, and we depend on authority to bring that order. A short time ago, peace was taken for granted as well as the serenity that structure provides. In lieu of recent events our security has been rocked to the core. Protests that may have begun peacefully quickly turned into violent riots after the sun went down. Vandalism, looting and shootings have chipped at the walls of fortitude around us, making us feel more vulnerable.

Imagine the lives of the police workers who swear an oath to uphold and protect the law. Their bravery has become even more rare since many of their colleagues have retired or failed to report for duty. This has produced unpatrolled streets, no response to emergencies, and lack of enforcing the law. Will this result in anarchy?

Respect is at the root of order. It provides the stepping stones for law enforcement agencies to perform their tasks with confidence and efficiency. A lack of respect causes a degenerate to ignore or challenge laws, the same ones that keep us safe. A lack of respect in essence is a lack of patriotism. Failure to rightfully respect these leaders is an injustice and disservice to all America.

By K. Karns

My Creed

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Howard Walter penned this poem, that was later put to music, from Japan in 1906. As a hymn, it is titled: “I Would Be True;” but Walter titled the poem as: “My Creed.” These words truly inspire, challenge, and show us how to improve our own lives to this day.

“I would be true, for there are those who trust me; I would be pure, for there are those who care; I would be strong for there is much to suffer; I would be brave for there is much to dare; I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift.”

Walter was born in Connecticut in August of 1883. He graduated from Princeton with honors and continued to Japan to teach the English language. He then returned to the United States to become a minister and volunteered to work in India.

Walter had sent his poem to his mother, and after she submitted it to Harper’s magazine, it was published. Sadly, all his life, Walter suffered from a heart condition that he succumbed to at the age of thirty-five during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic.

“I would be prayerful through each passing moment; I would be constantly in touch with God; I would be strong to follow where He leads me; I would have faith to keep the path Christ trod.”

Is this your Creed, as it was this young man’s? We can all use this song to guide our actions. “Ye shall know them by their fruits, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.” (Matthew 7:26-27)

The Church of God teaches a life free from sin that can bring forth good fruit, no matter what this world faces! Let this be our creed: Be true, be brave, have love, and keep the path Christ trod. Let us stand up and be counted as Christians.

By C. Smith

He WILL Care For Me

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“I trust in Him, though disasters grim before me seem to be; He calms my fears and He dries my tears, and FAITHFUL is to me! No matter what happens He will care for Me! “ –“He Will Care For Me,” C.W. Naylor

What a message of hope! We are told in God’s word to “Cast all your care upon Him; for He careth for you!” (I Peter 5:7) The above inspirational song lyrics were written by a man who had many reasons to be cast-down. But C.W. Naylor refused to let his own despondency prevent him from achieving happiness.

Charles, born in 1874, lost his mother at the young age of eight and was sent to his grandparent’s home to be raised. Throughout his life, he had anemia, kidney issues, and other health problems. At age twenty, after attending various religious services, he was born again through the message of salvation. He had searched the scriptures looking for something that would free him from sin and give him power to overcome. (Another song he later wrote is entitled “Be An Overcomer.”)

Naylor was married two different times, but each wife soon made him a widower. Then, while still a young man, he was involved two separate accidents which led to many injuries and left him totally bed-ridden.

Despite suffering terrible grief coupled with constant health issues which led to permanent disability, he kept confidence in his Father. He was daily in pain, yet became a prolific songwriter. He has, for over a century, encouraged and lifted many a discouraged soul through his songs of faith, hope, and confidence. No matter our distress or difficulty, our trust should remain undisturbed in God!

The Church of God hymnal includes many hymns penned by Charles Naylor who also wrote other inspiring literature (Secret of Being Strong, and Secret of the Singing Heart). Friend, at times when your faith is struggling, remember God’s compassionate care for you. He looks down on each trial and will bring you through if you trust Him.

“I will not fear for the Lord is near, and He will care for me!”

-by C Smith

A Visit to the King

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Wiping the sweat from his brow, Joel trudged along the path. He was on his way to see the King, and he was tired and thirsty. Finally he saw the castle in the distance and his excitement grew as he imagined sitting down to talk with the King and telling him all about his journey. Perhaps the King would offer him a cool drink of water and a bite to eat.

Joel approached the grand, imposing gate and was stopped by the husky and intimidating guard. “I just want to see the King,” Joel said in a halting voice. He was just a small boy and the soldier was very tall.

“Go away,” said the guard gruffly, “you cannot enter without an appointment.” Joel turned and ran back down the path. He was so disappointed he finally sat down under a tree and cried.

“What’s wrong?” someone asked. Joel looked up and there stood a man with a sack over his shoulder and a walking stick in his hand. “Sir, I came a long way to visit the King, and they won’t let me in.” Joel explained.

Sitting down beside him, the man reached into his sack and pulling out an apple, offered it to Joel. “You must be hungry after such a long journey.”  he said kindly. “Yes, thanks,” said Joel. “I don’t think I’ll ever go back there.” The man rose to his feet and held out his hand. “Why don’t you try again?” he suggested, “I’ll come with you this time.”

Joel stood and hesitated, then took the man’s hand and gripped it tighter and tighter as they came within sight of the gate. “Look, I don’t want to be any trouble,” Joel stammered, “I’ll just go back home.”

“You are so close,” the man replied quietly, “Don’t give up now child, simply trust me a little longer.” Joel gulped, took a deep breath, and walked on with his companion.

The guard swung the gate open wide as they approached. “Welcome home Sir!” he saluted. Joel’s jaw dropped in astonishment. “Who are you?” he said looking up at his friend.

“I am the King’s Son, and because you put your faith and trust in me, you can enter in at the gate with me and see the King,” said the man.

“Wow! I can’t wait to return home after my visit and tell my family and friends, so they can come visit and praise the King too!” exclaimed Joel.

If you would like to meet the King, you must do as Joel learned. Have Faith and Follow His Son– Jesus!

-By R Trauger