As many of my fellow Cleveland-dwellers know, a well known evangelist was in town last week for an event. Our choir, along with another, was to sing, and I have to admit, I was not looking forward to it.
I know everyone has his own opinion on televangelists, and mine was on the negative end of the spectrum. I have been of the opinion that sermons geared at North American churches by televangelists tend to veer away from pure gospel and get into purely prosperity and "self-help" mindsets. I believe that if a sermon cannot be applied in South America, Africa, and third-world regions, it has little lasting value.
My opinion of televangelists in general has not changed, but my experience with this particular evangelist surprised and inspired me. He spoke of ministers who concentrate on teaching "How-To" sermons, geared at helping people do well in business, lose weight, be happy, and all manner of "nice" things that have nothing to do with kingdom work and have no eternal significance. He spoke passionately about getting back to the pure gospel of the cross, repentance and all. And all I could say was "Amen!"
In contrast, yesterday, I was flipping through the channels and saw another well known televangelist. What I heard made me cringe. He spoke of receiving forgiveness but not repentance. He told the people that they needed to put on the "Breastplate of God's favor." While I completely believe in and rely on forgiveness, I realize that it is only through our humble repentance that forgiveness is possible. And while God's favor is something that I need, I also know that the Breastplate mentioned in Scripture is one of righteousness.
I think that's where our Christian culture has lost it. We want God's favor without accepting and living in His righteousness.
May God have mercy on us all!
Monday, October 9, 2006
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