I’m thankful I don’t make the rules. I’d disqualify myself for sure if I were the Judge. I’m so thankful I’m not the dispenser of grace. I would end up empty handed every time. I’m also thankful I’m not in charge of the Living Bible. The Spirit of God oversaw its words and meaning when it was first written and He is still in charge today. He pulls no punches as He convicts and guides us to apply it. Thankfully, I am in charge of only one thing when it comes to the Kingdom of God: my obedience. Will I obey the Word and the Spirit who applies it or will I ignore it, choosing to go my own way?

Twisting the Bible and excusing obedience is not a new response to Jesus’ invitation to total obedience. Christians have wrestled with this temptation from the beginning of the Church. The fact that this is not a new revelation should tell us something. Our hearts are prone to wander, prone to leave the God we love. The Bible is straight forward. There comes a point in the believer’s life when we must ask if we are denying ourselves, taking up our cross daily and following Jesus. Questions are good and healthy, and they beg for answers. We aren’t called to a life of perpetual contemplation. If we only come up with questions and no answers, it means we aren’t willing or ready to follow Jesus. If that’s you, that’s fine. You know where you are. Just don’t try to act like you are all in with Jesus. And don’t try to convince others your way is better than Jesus’ way. 

Tossing a dollar in the plate is no excuse for greed. Ignoring need is no excuse for selfishness. Shouting “LOVE” in the face of homosexuality is no excuse for sexual sin. Christianity has never been just about facts. Just saying “this is right” or “this is wrong” has never cut it with Christ followers. Rattling off a set of beliefs is fine. The question of your heart must still be answered. I heard a preacher ask the question, “When you open up your chest, do you really see Jesus ruling your life?” Don’t play. Who’s in charge? 

If Jesus is Lord, then you and I must keep addressing sin. If we continually ignore sin, Jesus is not in charge of us. Disregarding conviction isn’t ok. It leads to a dull emptiness. The life we are called to live in Christ is only full when we are obedient. 

Culture doesn’t get the privilege of defining our obedience. We don’t have the luxury of looking back and saying “They did that, so I have to do it, too.” Or “They didn’t do this, so I can’t do it either.” No, the Bible is our standard, not the practices of generations past. Neither can we look at what’s popular and acceptable today and adjust our interpretation. The message is clear: either get on or get off. Stop playing the game. Stop using the name of Jesus to justify your comfort. Stop trying to fit in by playing the part and then leading the rest of your life however you want. Just get real. 

Let me be clear, my goal is not to exclude anyone. It is my desire that everyone come to Christ, fully, wholly and without reserve. It is also my desire to see you stand before Jesus without regret. That’s just my heart as a pastor. If I remain quiet when I hear our culture saying one thing and doing another, I am in sin. It’s part of my job to keep the lines of communication open and untwisted. Let me say it again, complete obedience to Jesus is the goal. The question is not “What does anyone else think about this?” The question has always been “What does Jesus think about this?” 

So, are you in or are you out? You can toss out my words as radical or hateful or close-minded, but I assure you, this is love. You can ignore this challenge and wait for a later date to make a change. Jesus says, “your life will be required of you this night.” You can choose to ignore me, but you can’t ignore Jesus. You aren’t required to answer me, but you must face and answer Him. What will you say? How will you respond? The choice is yours and it’s time to make it.