For Those of a Kinder Disposition Than I

I know there are many folks who are frustrated by the critical thinking that is directed towards various popular personalities in American Christianity—the best-selling authors, the popular evangelists, and the TV preachers who are easy on the eyes and the ears. Certainly folks are right to point out that these personalities do have some good thigns to say.

On the other hand, these words from none other than Charles Spurgeon provide an important reminder:

Avoid a sugared gospel as you would shun sugar of lead. Seek the gospel which rips up and tears and cuts and wounds and hacks and even kills, for that is the gospel that makes alive again. And when you have found it, give good heed to it. Let it enter into your inmost being. As the rain soaks into the ground, so pray the Lord to let his gospel soak into your soul.

As the Apostle Paul reminds us, widespread popularity, particularly among unbelievers, ought to serve as a warning of a diluted message.

(HT)