Hammer on Anvil '

Easter is upon us, and churches are advertising everything from Easter egg hunts for the kids, to spectacular laser light shows in the morning service. The hope is that special programs will draw the unchurched or the nominally churched who only attend on Christmas and Easter.

This is all well and good, as long as it does not detract from the central truth, which is far more mind-blowing and life-altering than any multimedia program you could throw together.

The stupendous truth is Romans 5:8: "God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." While we were still in full-blown rebellion, Jesus came to our rescue. He spoke grace and forgiveness to the Samaritan woman at the well. When the woman accused of adultery cowered in the dirt, waiting for her accusers to stone her to death, Jesus gently helped her to her feet and told her to go and sin no more.

In sharing the gospel with others, do we water down the truth, fearful that it may offend? Many have been falsely led to believe that if they merely accept Christ, all their troubles will be over. Nothing could be further from the truth, and it is irresponsible to share the gospel without also being honest about the cost of following Jesus. It means dying to self, and giving Jesus permission to work through us.

The Word of God is living and active. It does not need to be enhanced. If you preach the Word of God, people will be changed. If you try to disguise it with the trappings of the world, the result is often shallow commitment and cheap grace.