1 Thessalonians 2:3-4 (NASB)
For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.
I wrote a question by verse 4 in my Journible. Verse 4 says, "...not as pleasing men, but God, who examines our hearts."
Here is the question: If you compromise to please men, can your heart be right? Can you do the wrong thing and still have your heart right before God?
This has serious implications. We often hear the statement, "Well, his heart was in the right place." Can this be said of the preacher who compromises the Word of God or waters down the doctrines of Scripture in order to please the people and make them more comfortable in the church? Is his heart in the right place?
I think of seeker friendly churches, where many times the Gospel is watered down to make it more palatable. Concepts like sin, judgment, and repentance are left out of the message and God's love is emphasized. This is only half a Gospel. Can the hearts of these church leaders be considered in the right place or pleasing to God? What does God think?
Do you ever ponder these things?
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