Tag Archives: Christian

But the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it. – Matthew 7:14

At one point in my lifetime I thought there were so many Christians in the world. I no longer think that. The reason I thought there were so many was because of the many churches that graced the landscape, the many Christian television networks, the many Christian radio programs, the many Christian bookstores, the many Christian colleges and seminaries, etc.

As I’ve continued on my life’s journey I have seen many things that lead me to believe that there are not many who obey God but there are many who profess Him as Lord of their lives. Yet, Matthew chapter seven goes on to say:

7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ ²⁴  will enter into the kingdom of heaven – only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 7:22 On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons and do  many powerful deeds?’ 7:23 Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!’

Merely professing to be a Christian does not make one a Christian. Likewise all that seems to be Christian based such as the aforementioned things like Christian television, Christian radio, Christian churches, Christian bookstores, etc. are not always what they appear to be at face value either.

Sometimes I wonder about the usefulness of some of these institutions. For example, I listen to a Christian radio station every morning. This particular week is the one week I dread each year. This is the week of the fundraiser which they playfully call a friendraiser.

I have listened to many Christian radio stations during my life. This particular station has not been a favorite, but since it is the only one our clock radio will pick up it is the one we listen to the most.

Every year as friendraiser starts I become uncomfortable. I do listen to this station for one hour a day. Should I send them a contribution? They consider themselves a valuable ministry and view themselves as spreading the light of the gospel every year as they continue to expand their transmissions to more and more areas.

Yet I get the feeling that they just don’t get it. I am not sure that the radio announcers truly understand the gospel. This morning the female announcer was giving her testimony over the airwaves. Her testimony was this: One night she came home to find out her older sister had listened to a preacher on the radio station and had prayed a prayer to receive Christ. Her mother asked her if she would like to do the same thing. She said that she had a sisterly rivalry with her sister and didn’t want her sister to have something that she didn’t have and so she too prayed to receive Christ. Does she realize that she is portraying her acceptance of Jesus as sibling rivalry, like children fighting over a toy?

This is why I don’t particularly enjoy listening to this radio station and it’s why I’ve never contributed to friendraiser. I feel like there are ministries that do give a clear and accurate portrayal of the gospel and if I contribute to any ministry I want to feel like my contribution is going to a reliable source.

Still, though the announcers seem to not understand much of the gospel and though some songs they play also reflect their shallow understanding, they do play some songs that have a true gospel message and broadcast some preachers who also clearly portray the gospel. God can still use this radio station to reach the souls He is calling to Himself.

My sincere desire however is to see more ministries rise up which have a message of true passion and hunger for God. This topic has filled my mind lately and it seems that I am not alone in this.