Wouldn’t the world be a much better place with more Christianity in it?
“Sure. Sounds great!”
we say…
“As long as we can have our M.O.R.” (pronounced “more”)
Here in the U.S.A. we know ALL ABOUT having, and wanting M.O.R.
So much in fact; that now “M.O.R.” is spreading to other countries as well!
Seems like everywhere your look; this church or that church is touting M.O.R.
“Our church is M.O.R. than your church.”
“Oh no; it’s not! Our church is more, M.O.R. than your church!”
And on and on it goes.
Why, oh why; do we want to race to the Middle?!!
M.O.R. = Middle Of the Road
Is this a good thing?
Should it be happening?
How would I know if this is happening around me?
What could I look for?
NOTE: There is extreme deception in this M.O.R. gospel mindset; so I’ve included some ‘translations’ in the [brackets] to clarify what is really being said and/or the truth of reality.
Three things you might hear a current M.O.R. Christian say about themselves:
“I’m just not into extremes. Didn’t Jesus live in the middle?”
[As a matter of fact; Jesus was so “middle” that He put Himself between us and our sin. Giving us a way to be separated from sin; instead of Him. If that is Jesus’ middle; sounds quite radical, to me. Mind-blowing in fact; that God would become a man, and pay for the removal of sin from our lives, with His own life.]
“Yes! The middle is where “truth” and reason is found.”
[the truth is: there is NO reason to mix down, or water down His message…it is a dangerous road to be on. Bringing a fallen type of thinking, that we are more compassionate than Christ…Jesus was compassionate to the person, but utterly violent with the sin.]
“You know the way to heaven is so narrow; therefore I’m going to stay in the middle.”
[said to cover themselves; and to not be required to do anything, or to have ANY responsibility to change.]
Three things a M.O.R. Christian might say about why “middle of the road” Christianity is the way to go:
“We can get more support, reach more people, and cast a wider net by being all-inclusive.”
[Of course! You will always find more people willing to live for themselves; than to die for Him!
And did not The One come and show the way…
Also; “ones” in God’s kingdom have had great impact, such as:
Joan of Arc,
St. Patrick,
Martin Luther,
John G. Lake,
and the list goes on and on.]
“By staying in the middle we can get more people to pray “that” prayer.”
[praying a sinners, or a specific salvation prayer is not biblical. We are to deny ourselves, and take up our cross (dying to self). If we have died with Him; then we are resurrected in the newness of HIS life. And are able to follow after Him. If we need to repent (change our way of thinking) in ANY area…
Let’s do it!
NOTE:
(I am not excluded from ANY words given. Be quite certain, that I will pour over and over them, and take them more seriously than anyone else; both before & after they are released.)]
“The middle is more realistic, more attainable, and more maintainable.”
[Yes, unfortunately; it is all the MORE evident in our world today. But, is it really easier to maintain & manage; or is the middle more attainable?
By following it don’t we follow our own course? And thereby becoming responsible for the outcome?
God knows what works!
He’s laid it out already!…
Why would we ever want to reinvent His Wheel? His Wheel works! Always has; always will.]
Look at Jesus. He is our ultimate example. He came and lived a sinless life.
Didn’t He challenge every part of the status quo?
Did He live His life by being filled with “middle of the road” living?
Or did He come to destroy it?
Let’s think about the disciples and apostles. When they entered a region and proclaimed the good news, riots would break out. In many cases if not for the signs and wonders, and the flowing wisdom of Holy Spirit; the apostles would have died on the spot. In some cases people killed the messengers where they stood; irregardless. Before the message was fully revealed; some of them were martyred for the sake of the gospel.
If you sincerely search the Bible you will see NO place where it talks positively about a “middle of the road” gospel.
Jesus, our resurrected Lord in Revelation 3:1-4 describes something totally “other”; when comparing His Gospel to a “middle of the road” gospel. But, from what He says; sounds like many of them were trying stubbornly within themselves, to live a “middle of the road” gospel out.
JESUS SPEAKING:
“Write this to the angel of the church in Sardis: “Here is a message from the one who has the seven spirits and the seven stars.
“I know what you do. People say that you are alive, but really you are dead.
Wake up!
Make yourselves stronger before what little strength you have left is completely gone.
I find that what you do is not good enough for my God.
So don’t forget what you have received and heard.
Obey it.
Change your hearts and lives!
You must wake up, or I will come to you and surprise you like a thief. You will not know when I will come. “But you have a few people in your group there in Sardis who have kept themselves clean. They will walk with me. They will wear white clothes, because they are worthy.”
Revelation 3:1-4 ERV
“But, Jesus what about our M.O.R. gospel?”
JESUS SPEAKING:
“I know what you do, how hard you work and never give up. I know that you don’t accept evil people. You have tested those who say they are apostles but are not. You found that they are liars. You never stop trying. You have endured troubles for my name and have not given up. “But I have this against you: You have left the love you had in the beginning. So remember where you were before you fell. Change your hearts and do what you did at first. If you don’t change, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.”
Revelation 2:2-5 ERV
People looking to fill their own desires and a “bless me” gospel are baffled at “this” Jesus.
This is the same Jesus!
He didn’t change!
We just; didn’t know Him!
We mistakenly thought the gospel’s sole purpose was to make our day better, somehow. Making it all about ourselves; in order to be able to add Him into our plans, and our daily lives.
Or so that we could enter into our ministry, our destiny, and our place of exaltation.
It’s time alright.
Time to destroy this “middle of the road” gospel!
It’s destroying us.
And…
It’s definitely NOT “THE” GOSPEL!
“But, I don’t want that type of gospel!
I want to do what I want!
I want to serve God how I want to serve Him!
You serve Him how you want to; and I’ll serve Him how I want to.
I’m not changing from, what I’ve been doing!”
JESUS SPEAKING:
“I know what you do. I know about your love, your faith, your service, and your patience. I know that you are doing more now than you did at first. But I have this against you: You let that woman Jezebel do what she wants. She says that she is a prophet, but she is leading my people away with her teaching. Jezebel leads my people to commit sexual sins and to eat food that is offered to idols. I have given her time to change her heart and turn away from her sin, but she does not want to change.”
Revelation 2:19-21 ERV
Finally; here is what I deem to be the ultimate example from Jesus, testifying against the “middle of the road” gospel mindset.
JESUS SPEAKING:
“I know what you do. You are not hot or cold. I wish that you were hot or cold! But you are only warm—not hot, not cold. So I am ready to spit you out of my mouth.
JESUS STILL SPEAKING:
“I correct and punish the people I love.
So show that nothing is more important to you than living right.
Change your hearts and lives.
Here I AM!
I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you. And you will eat with me. “I will let everyone who wins the victory sit with me on my throne. It was the same with me. I won the victory and sat down with my Father on his throne.”
Revelation 3:15-16, 19-21 ERV
PERIOD.
Correction; Jesus has spoken with the biggest exclamation point possible!
His work is complete!
All that is missing is our response!