Don’t Water Him Down!

“The temptation to modify the teachings of Christ with the hope that larger numbers may ‘accept’ Him is cruelly strong… But if we know what is good for us, we’ll resist it with every power at our command.”–  A.W. Tozer

 

Galatians 1:10 says “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

 

Dear sister, doesn’t this quote just nail the times we live in? The times that have crept in even to the church today! 

 

It comes in subtle ways like:

 

“If we sing their kind of music, then maybe we can catch them.”

 

“If we dress like them, then maybe we won’t scare them away.”

 

“If we just avoid those heavy words- al’ dem sin, hell, holiness, maybe they will stay.”

 

Oh dear daughter of my Father, please don’t join this train! It doesn’t lead Home! 😭

 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ does not need our adjustment, it only needs our allegiance!!!

 

It does not need to be decorated with worldly music to catch a crowd. It does not need to be propped up by immodest dressing to look “appealing.” It does not need psychological sugarcoating so that sinners can swallow it more easily.

 

Did Jesus ever do that? Never. He never used worldly songs to “bait” anyone. He never dressed like the culture to be accepted. He never trimmed His words so that they sounded softer. In fact, many times people left Him because the truth He spoke was too hard for them to swallow. (John 6:66).

 

And do you know what He kept saying again and again in Luke’s Gospel? “Except ye…” Yes, except ye deny yourself… except ye take up your cross… except ye forsake all… ye CANNOT be My disciple. (Luke 14:26–27, 33). He wasn’t looking for starters, He was looking for finishers.

 

That’s the heart of the matter, my sister! People who fall for baits are rarely finishers. They start with excitement, they come with the crowd, but when the cost shows up, they fall away. Only those who are drawn by truth endure to the end.

 

So, dear sis, when we dilute Christ, what we are giving people is not really Christ!

 

It may attract a crowd, but it will never transform a soul!!!

 

It’s just like offering medicine that has been watered down so much, it can no longer heal. Yes, we call it “strategy,” but heaven calls it unfaithfulness!!!!

 

So, in the quote for today, Tozer says the temptation is cruelly strong. It looks like it works, it feels smart, it seems harmless, but in reality, it betrays Jesus!!!😭😭😭 And if we know what is good for us, we will resist it with every fiber of our being.

 

The true gospel does not need make-up. Jesus is attractive enough. His cross is offensive, yes, but it is also powerful. His way is narrow, yes, but it is also life-giving. The people who are meant for Him will not be caught by our tricks, they will be drawn by His truth.

 

So, sister, let’s not cheapen Christ by selling Him like a product. Let’s not hide His crown of thorns under glitter. Let’s not trade His cross for a concert. Our call is to lift Him up, as He truly is, and trust Him to draw men to Himself.

 

Let’s pray for our churches and ourselves: 

Oh, Father, please have mercy on our churches where compromise has crept in. Restore our pulpits to truth, our worship to holiness, and our witness to purity. Also, Father, forgive me for the times I have been tempted to tone You down. Give me courage to resist the pull of this age, and grace to honor You with truth in love. Keep me from ever diluting Your Word. Make me faithful to Christ, unashamed of His cross, and bold to stand for Him in this age. Amen.