The Teaching About Christ Series

It is high time for Christians to identify openly those who fail to embrace truth for who they actually are. John speaks of those who do not abide in the teaching about Christ as “deceivers” and as “antichrist.” I do not question the Christian character of those who disagree over church polity—how we conduct our business as Christians. I do not question the commitment to Christ of those who disagree about ecclesiology—the way we worship and the structure of our churches. However, it is not reasonable to accept as fellow Christians anyone who denies that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. This truth is central; it must be embraced and confessed for one to be a Christian.

The reason I speak so pointedly on this issue is that you, the people of God, bear responsibility to assess the accuracy of what is preached from this pulpit or from any pulpit. Should the message delivered appear to be helpful, don’t casually accept all that the speaker says. Listen to discover what the speaker believes concerning Christ the Lord. Is He God? Was He born of a virgin? Did He die a sacrificial death? Did He rise from the dead on the third day? Is one forgiven all sin and made new before God through faith in Christ without any human effort? If the speaker fails to adhere to this truth about Christ, be assured that he is not a Christian. Though his presentation be ever so attractive, the message is contaminated. Ingesting such drivel will at the least result in spiritual dyspepsia. Cheesecake, though ever so attractively prepared, if served on a table crawling with blowflies and cockroaches cannot be made sufficiently appetizing that most people would wish to eat it.

In past years I itinerated, conducting evangelistic and revival meetings. On one occasion, I preached a revival meeting at a little country church outside of Lake Charles, Louisiana. As southern folk are wont to do for visiting preachers, I was fêted and dined by the members of the congregation each afternoon and evening despite my requests to the contrary. One evening, I enjoyed a Cajun feast. The repast was an extraordinary culinary delight. I enjoyed vegetables prepared al dente—they were perfect. The family served mustard greens and seafood gumbo over rice. The main course was pork chops stuffed with alligator gar. The meal was excellent, if not unusual.

The home was humble, and like many homes in the swamps, it was infested with cockroaches. The roaches played tag on the stove and on the table at which we were seated. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the warm fellowship and the gracious offering of the best that good family could provide. As the meal neared a conclusion, I took note of a large, mixed breed black dog staring intently at me as I ate the meal. I casually commented to my host, “I must have your dog’s seat.” “No,” replied my host, “you have his plate.”

That otherwise excellent meal took an unexpected turn at that point. Just so, when a preacher fails to confess Christ, however attractive all else may appear, his message takes an unexpected and unappetizing turn.