To sugar coat: to make superficially attractive or acceptable.
The pastor at the local church did not preach sermons. He talked about other things, as in one time when we went, it was all about his new motorcycle. Wait. What? Yes, that is what it about that week. This kind of "sermon" wasn't even sugar-coated. It was no sermon at all. Needless to say, we never went back.
Sad to say, all too many of today's churches preach this kind of gospel. Some of them do add a little of "Jesus" into the mix of their sermons but not enough to do their spiritual lives any good. Not enough to give them eternal life.
Why do they do it? Because the real gospel, the gospel of Jesus Christ, is a hard one. It means denying ourselves and taking up our cross to follow him. Luke 9:23.
It means we give up the sinful way of life to do what Jesus calls us to do. Galatians 5:24.
It means we may lose our life because of it. Mark 8:35
Take a look at those that believe in the un-sugar-coated version of the truth. We are constantly put on the chopping block of those that despise us. We are ridiculed and put down. If we mention one word about God, those that hate him or don't even believe in him want to assault us either in word or deed. Sometimes both. They believe we have no right to believe what we do and they think as Christians we are trying to shove "religion" down their throats when it really is the other way around. They are trying to shove their non-belief down ours.
The Apostle Paul said: I am crucified with Christ. I no longer live, but it is Christ who lives in me. Galatians 2:20.
Jesus did not sugar coat the truth. He went throughout his ministry teaching us what sin would do and what would happen if we do not accept him as our Lord and Savior.
It means we give up the sinful way of life to do what Jesus calls us to do. Galatians 5:24.
It means we may lose our life because of it. Mark 8:35
Take a look at those that believe in the un-sugar-coated version of the truth. We are constantly put on the chopping block of those that despise us. We are ridiculed and put down. If we mention one word about God, those that hate him or don't even believe in him want to assault us either in word or deed. Sometimes both. They believe we have no right to believe what we do and they think as Christians we are trying to shove "religion" down their throats when it really is the other way around. They are trying to shove their non-belief down ours.
The Apostle Paul said: I am crucified with Christ. I no longer live, but it is Christ who lives in me. Galatians 2:20.
Jesus did not sugar coat the truth. He went throughout his ministry teaching us what sin would do and what would happen if we do not accept him as our Lord and Savior.
- Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me, he is not worthy of me. Mathew 10:38
- Whoever seeks his life to preserve it will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. Mathew 16:35
- Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27
It is easier to hear and believe the sugar coating. It is what one pastor that I ran across while preparing this devotion called it "ear candy." But to believe in that kind of nonsense will not get us to where we want to be when our life on this ends. Motorcycle messages aren't going to us get there. And neither will any other message that does not include the real thing. The gospel of Jesus Christ.
If you are a part of a church that teaches nothing but ear candy, I warn you to run, not walk away but get away from that kind of preaching. For it is no preaching at all. And it will do no good for your soul.
Thanks for your visit today Friends. Have a blessed day. Pass a blessing on to someone that needs it!
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