Quiet Time Reflections: Do not diminish a word.

In my Quiet Time this morning I read Jeremiah 26:2-3:

 "Thus says the LORD: 'Stand in the court of the LORD'S house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD'S house, all the words that I command you to speak to them. Do not diminish a word.

 'Perhaps everyone will listen and turn from his evil way, that I may relent concerning the calamity which I purpose to bring on them because of the evil of their doings.' (emphasis mine)

I got to thinking about that.  How many churches and Christian ministries tend to diminish the Word of God by watering down the message?  They preach God’s love but leave out God’s wrath against sinners.  They preach His mercy but fail to mention His justice.  They teach that God wants to save you, but fail to teach why you need to be saved.  They teach you need to come to Jesus so He can fix your problems and they name off things like an empty wallet, a failed marriage, self esteem etc. when the real reason you need to be saved is because you have fallen short of God’s standard of righteousness and you need the righteousness of Christ to save you from eternity in Hell.

Is it any wonder that we have churches in America full of goats instead of sheep these days?  Churches are full of lukewarm “Christians”. 

Revelation 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.