The Bible tells us a time is coming when every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord, Philippians 2:10-11. Christians openly honor His name now, while unbelievers must confess He’s Lord on a day yet to come. Much of what people believe about Jesus comes from what they observe in His followers. Paul says that Christians are letters read by all people. If we are letters of Christ, not written by ink, but by the Holy Spirit, 2 Corinthians 3:2-3, the content of our life, aka our letter, is a powerful testimony. Will you use it to glorify or diminish Jesus’ name to a watching world?
In a culture full of half-truths, my truth, and no truth, believers must live lives of clarity, authenticity, and spiritual boldness. Moreover, we need to live in a way that doesn’t obscure the good news and diminish the name of Jesus with tepid, religious, and hypocritical behavior, 1 Peter 2:1. Let me share several examples with you of how Jesus’ name is diminished by some who wear the Christian label.
I’ve done open-air evangelism by myself and with others and observed others street preach in person and online. There are generally three types of preachers: smiley, angry, or broken, and the way they evangelize either increases or diminishes Jesus’ name in a world desperate for truth and love. Smiley preacher’s message is that Jesus loves you, and I think I’ll see you in heaven one day. The angry preacher’s message is a turn-or-burn shouting match. Both messages are not the gospel because we’re told to speak the truth in love, Ephesians 4:15. Lost people will walk away with a false sense of security or not know about the immeasurable love of God for them. Either way, the name of Jesus is diminished. The third type of preacher is broken. They have broken hearts for lost souls, pleading with them in gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15. Instead of diminishing Jesus’ name, this person brings Him glory as an ambassador to a world where many people are heading toward eternity in hell, 2 Corinthians 5:20.
Another way some Christians diminish Jesus’ name is by misrepresenting Him. Voting pro-life is paramount; every faithful Christian must and should do so. But it never fails that in every recent election season, some want to ‘win America or the UK back to Jesus.’ The sentiment of many borderlines on being a zealot, not for God’s kingdom, but man’s. They put all their hope in candidates, not in the Prince of Peace, the only One who can make things right. On the other extreme, some Christians align themselves with worldly movements that are unbiblical and debased to virtue signal how woke, inclusive, and supposedly loving they are. Both extremes of so-called Christ followers misrepresent Him because they are based on externals, opinions, and popularity, not people’s souls, 2 Timothy 2:4.
Many true disciples represent Jesus well. On the other hand, some seem to latch on and rally around every so-called movement, ministry, revelation, or revival that comes along. While some are of the Holy Spirit, others are from a different spirit. We have to be discerning in what we promote and join ourselves to. Just as there are true revivals, ministries, and teachers, they also come in false forms, Ephesians 4:14. This is especially important as people observe what Christians say and do. I cringe when I think of all the false prophecies, movements, revivals, and worldly showmanship done in Jesus’ name, 2 Timothy 3:13. It diminishes the great name of Jesus to a watching world. Many ‘so-called “worship services” are nothing more than me-centered mini-concerts that literally put the spotlight on the people on stage, not on God’s glory. Setting the mood with dimmed lights will never replace a move of the Holy Spirit. People in the world don’t need an experience; they need Jesus. A fellow preacher and dear friend of mine gave this timely warning in a recent message; here’s what he said:
We don’t want to misrepresent the Lord. When His name, character, and who He is is misrepresented, the Lord takes that very seriously. I want to be faithful in my representation of who He is.
Pastor Tim McIlwrath -NTP Church, Ballynahinch Ireland
One final way we can diminish Jesus’ great name is our collective lack of authenticity and boldness in this world of spiritual pretenders and would-be gods. I have seen Muslims, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and numerous other sects and false gospel followers go out in boldness to proclaim their message, albeit false, to other people walking in spiritual deception. Moreover, most do it with striking authenticity when they live the life their teachings and leaders require. Please understand me; I’m not praising spiritually blind people but acknowledging their tenacity for what they believe in. I recently heard someone who isn’t yet a believer put it like this:
Why can’t Christians be like that? Muslims, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, etc. at least most of them go all in for what they believe in, they are authentic.
Anonymous
We would be just one voice among the many claiming to have the answers about life and eternity, but one thing sets Christians and the gospel apart: The Living God. Dear fellow Christians, what would happen if we get serious about living out our faith in this dark world? What would happen to some people if we lived as authentic disciples of Jesus filled with His word and the power of the Holy Spirit? We would see the hand of the Lord at work. No, I don’t expect to sway public opinion regarding Christians, and Jesus made it clear that the world will hate us. But living in authenticity, love, and boldness will mark us as Jesus’ disciples in a world full of spiritual deceivers. We are called salt and light in a world where most people are blind. So many teens and college-age people seek a life of purpose, meaning, and a chance to do something noble. Jesus is life; repenting and following Him would give them a new life and identity in Him, John 10:10.
If we are followers of Jesus, His name and word should be paramount to us. Whatever we do or say should reflect His excellent name well. He keeps watch over His word to accomplish it; His name’s honor is paramount. When He rebuked Job’s friends, He said it was because they didn’t speak what was right about Him; they diminished and misrepresented His name. The Bible is replete with warnings about twisting His word and speaking falsely on His behalf, Jeremiah 23:21-22.
The last thing people need is Jesus’ name being used as a tool for half-baked outreaches masquerading as biblical evangelism. They don’t need smiley preachers coddling them as they go toward eternity in hell, nor do they need angry men warning them without love or tears. Away with the business-as-usual attitude endemic in modern Christianity, which honors the names of men and movements over the Lord’s. Let’s collectively stop trying to bring attention to ourselves and put it on Jesus. Enough of playing church and going through the motions while ignoring the convicting power of the Holy Spirit and His word. Apart from Him, we can do nothing, John 15:5
The late singer-songwriter Keith Green warned about falling into a “Christianese” lifestyle. Half in, half out, looking the part, but not truly living for Jesus. Dear friends, lost people don’t need hypocritical showmanship; they need to hear the gospel from Spirit-filled believers who aren’t ashamed of it or Jesus’ name. John was exiled to the island of Patmos because he didn’t diminish the Lord’s name but honored it; Revelation 1:9 Let’s live by John’s example and live to glorify the great name of Jesus.
All for Him,
Howard
Let me recommend a recent audio sermon by Tim McIlwrath; click here, then find (Thursday morning) sermon by Pastor Tim.
For a YouTube link to Tim McIlwrath’s teaching, click here.
Video: What’s Wrong with the Gospel by Keith Green on YouTube, click here.
No Time For Business as Usual: Click here for my video.
