Greetings Emile,
Not to negate those who have truly suffered for the gospel, we have had it easy in comparison to those in other regions that have laid down their lives literally for preaching salvation through Christ. In North America calling for our heads remains figurative and that portion of our anatomy thus far remains attached. But unlike Christ, things do change. I pray that God grant us the courage and that we love Him enough to be willing to endure all things for Him.
To count the cost indeed, in two ways. Applicable is the expression "The cost of obedience to God is far less than the cost of disobedience."
I view the lukewarm approach to ministry with grief in seeing those that would shepherd a flock and present only half of the gospel. A watered down version that appeases the masses but denies the whole message.
A "love gospel" that only presents one side of the coin, God's grace without the need for repentance I believe breeds converts that soon fall away. The cost being the birthing of a church that the Lord calls lukewarm and worthy of being spewed out of His mouth.
To present only God's judgment or only God's grace is a disservice to the hearer.
If a person is already convicted of sin in their lives, God's grace is needful to be heard.
If pride and self righteousness are prominent, then God's judgment for all under sin must be made plain.
It seems that this century has produced this "new gospel" where I'm o.k. and you're o.k. and after all God is a God of love and he'll just wink at our sins and if we don't like what the bible says because it doesn't conform to our lifestyles we'll just rewrite it or remove it completely in a new version.
Forgive me, I'm not preaching at you or any other Christian here but this has remained a bone stuck in my throat for some time now and I'm grasping the opportunity to ask your opinion and any others here on the topic. I think this to be the focal point of much of the problem with lukewarm churches today.
God bless you,
John
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