Walking With Christ

1 Peter 4:12-13 (12)Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. (13)But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.(ESV)

The first church I can remember going to was absolute “fire and brimstone” so far as I can remember. To be fair, I was young and spent most of every service outside running around so as to not disturb the message. It left a fearful mark on me concerning whatever it was that the adults were discussing each week. It would be many years before I figured out that the Jesus I was reading about at another church was the same one that the preacher was yelling about in that tiny building miles from anywhere.

Since coming back to Christ, I’ve witnessed a great many different preaching styles and preferences. Each one, even the fire and brimstone ones, have their merit. Still, any preaching style that does not give the complete message falls short.

People today tend to gravitate towards what can only be described as “bubblegum” theology. This is those messages that only give the positive aspects of following Christ by cherry-picking verses and omitting the dire warnings. In a word, bubblegum theology leads to hell. This isn’t to say that fire and brimstone theology is any safer.

Studying the bible requires people to take the good with the bad. The good things about humanity, who we are, and where we are can only exist along with the bad. We study the bible to help us find the truth that will set us free from the bondage of our very own sin nature. If we do not share the entire gospel then we are not sharing the truth. Any preacher or bible teacher who refuses to share parts of the bible because they are afraid of losing followers, are afraid of offending people, or are scared of turning people away will be judged pretty harshly on judgement day.

You will be persecuted in Christ’s name:
Matthew 7:13-14
Matthew 16:24-25
Luke 9:23-24
John 15:18-20
Romans 8:17
Philippians 1:29
2 Timothy 3:12
James 1:2-4

Beware of false prophets:
Jeremiah 23:16
Matthew 7:15-16
Acts 20:26-27
2 Corinthians 11:3-4
Galatians 1:6-9
1 Timothy 6:3-5
2 Timothy 4:2-4
Titus 1:10-11
2 Peter 2:1-2

False prophets will suffer:
Jeremiah 23:1-2
Ezekiel 34:2-10
Matthew 7:21-23
Matthew 18:6
Galatians 1:8-9
2 Timothy 4:3-4
James 3:1
2 Peter 2:1-3