The first priority in successfully merchandising is to give consumers what they want. Today, a similar, consumer-oriented, people-pleasing way of thinking has captured Christianity, and has brought changes in doctrinal teaching, and methods, among churches of Christ. The new and “improved” discipleship does away with old-fashioned authority, accountability, and, above all, those moral absolutes.
This Christianity for consumers, the watering down, misinterpretation of the biblical gospel to make it more palatable, and popular, will never give people what the true gospel of Jesus Christ does. Why? First, because it’s the design of people, not of God. Second, because it deceives people into thinking they are hearing the true gospel when, in fact, they’re being tragically misled.
The true gospel of the New Testament is a call to self-denial, not self-fulfillment. The hard truth is being convicted of our sins, being obedient to the commands of God, recognizing the disturbing reality of self-denial and following the demands of discipleship to Jesus Christ.
The genuine gospel of Jesus Christ is not a matter of opinion. It’s a matter of truth. What we want, or what anyone wants, makes no difference whatsoever. It is God’s sovereign will that matters.