LITTLE “WHITE” LIES: IT’S ALL RIGHT TO BE A CHRISTIAN
AS LONG AS YOU DON’T GET CARRIED AWAY
2 Timothy 3:1-7, 13; 4:3-4
Dr. Glenn A. Jent, Pastor
INTRODUCTION
A white lie is not mean or vicious in intention. It is typically a lie to protect someone from the painful truth. Satan would have us to believe that his lies are little “white” lies, but his actual intention is to deceive us. Today, we will consider the idea that it’s all right to be a Christian as long as you don’t get carried away. Satan wants us to accept a sub-standard Christianity. Let us examine this lie more closely.
I. IT’S ALL RIGHT TO BE A CHRISTIAN!
1. Is it really all right to be a Christian?
(1) Satan owned us before we became believers through repentance and faith.
(2) Satan hates us because we no longer belong to him.
(3) Satan wants to destroy us if he cannot have us.
(4) Satan wants us to believe it is OK if we are Christians.
Satan hates God and anyone that is related to God. He hates anything that honors or glorifies God. Satan wants to be like God—to control the lives of mankind. He will do anything in his power to regain his lost control—even lying to you and me.
2. Is it really JUST all right to be a Christian?
(1) Being just a Christian is not OK for Satan or for us.
(2) Not being a Christian means being Lost—Alone—Hell bound.
(3) Being a Christian means being a Child of God—Fellowship—Heaven bound.
(4) Being a Christian is not just OK; rather, it is wonderful! Glorious! Heavenly!
Becoming a Christian is the best possible thing that could ever happen to us. Being a Child of God is wonderful. Thus, even the simplest-sounding part of the statement is a lie out of the dark heart of Satan and his disciples.
II. IT’S ALL RIGHT TO BE A CHRISTIAN AS LONG AS YOU DON’T GET CARRIED AWAY
1. It is all right to be a Christian as long as you don’t become a fanatic, a radical.
(1) Satan doesn’t mind if you believe in God as long as you believe in all gods.
(2) Satan doesn’t mind you being a believer as long as you keep it to yourself.
(3) Satan doesn’t mind if you read the Bible as long as you don’t believe it all.
(4) Satan doesn’t mind if you go to church as long as you don’t become TOO involved.
Satan hates to lose you but it is almost OK as long as you don’t become a fanatic in belief and lifestyle. He wants you to accept a sub-standard Christianity so that you will never amount to anything in God’s Kingdom. Let us see the other side.
2. It is NOT all right to be a sub-standard Christian who never gets carried away.
(1) Being a Christian means trying to live like Jesus.
(2) Being a Christian means being willing to sacrifice everything for Jesus Christ.
(3) Being a Christian means telling other people about Jesus.
(4) Being a Christian means you are willing to defend and spread your beliefs.
Being a Christian is demanding. It demands that we give up our selfish way of life for a sacrificial life of holiness dedicated to doing God’s will. Jesus claims to be the only way to the Father, lives in the hearts and minds of His followers, and has commanded us to go and tell this truth to all people throughout the entire world.
CONCLUSION
Our Bible text for today reminds us how people will be in the last days. Unfortunately, the description fits many Christians, not just unbelievers. They have a “form of godliness” but deny “its power.” Paul says that we should “have nothing to do with them.” Such people have believed the little “white” lie of Satan. God forbid that it happen to us.
|
