Foods that lack essential ingredients — like sugar-free cookies and fat-free cream — are flying off the shelves as consumers scramble to follow the latest health fads.
Too bad this trend is sweeping through many churches where sermons today are often sin-free.
It’s commonplace for Christians to sit comfortably in the pews while their preacher implies they’re good to go when it comes to heaven.
And when Christ talked about separating the goats from the sheep at the Last Judgment — and sinners roasting in unquenchable fire — it’s tempting to conclude churchgoers get a pass.
After all, we’re there every Sunday, we help with food drives and send the kids to Sunday school. We’re the ones Jesus promised the kingdom to — aren’t we?
Well, let’s hope so, but it’s hard to say for sure when the word “sin” is rarely uttered.
We often hear “mercy” mentioned multiple times from the pulpit, which is lovely, but you can’t beg for mercy unless you ask for forgiveness first — which implies you’ve done something wrong, as in sinning.
Ask a churchgoer what the worst misdeeds are, and they might mention selfishness and pride, but what about transgressions against the Ten Commandments, which can be a daily occurrence?
How many of us idolize possessions rather than worshipping God? How about cursing, watching X-rated shows and fudging on our taxes?
I’m not suggesting every sermon should be peppered with hellfire and damnation, but in so many churches, you can sit through hundreds of homilies and never hear about punishment.
John Chrysostom, the patron saint of preachers, advised priests to “preach the authentic Gospel of Christ. And if some should reinterpret that Gospel to suit themselves and their agenda, then correct them even if it makes you unpopular.”
And rather than relying on praise from the congregation, St. Paul suggested posing the question, “Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?”
Sometimes I wonder whether sin has become the proverbial four-letter word because some preachers are loath to rattle cages and incite complaints — or because a giant wave of lukewarmness is drowning out Christ’s difficult message.
After all, he launched his public ministry with the cry, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” which urges us to beg for forgiveness for sins and change our hearts.
Jesus wasn’t complacent and didn’t dish out platitudes, which is why some people deserted him — and others crucified him.
Today some scorn him and others reject him, but those who truly love him should deliver his message with every ounce of fire intact.
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