When the Church Sends the Wrong Message to the World
Evolution has influenced a type of “developing man” theory in the minds of the godless. This is also true of psychology. It is the mind-set that, “Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better.” All of philosophy is about man-centeredness. In other words, it is all about “you.”
When churches tell the world, “You belong,” the emphasis of their message is therapeutic. It appeals both, to the self-centeredness of man and his need for belonging to a group.
Does the world and its citizens, who are in sinful rebellion against God, belong to the membership of the church? While it is true that the disenfranchised, elect do have a place in the body of Christ, we ask, “Is it honest to tell everyone else that they belong, too?”
Sales and marketing schemes are very popular developments from the church growth movement. The name of the church growth movement reveals its objective. The marketing departments of churches employ every conceivable method to get the word out…about themselves. They use their fair share of psychology and sociology to accomplish their communique: “We are a fast-growing church, and you are a valued part of our plans for getting numerically bigger.” You might even get a free smoothie if you visit this Sunday!
The root of the mega expansion plans, for these enterprises, is universalism. “You are loved,” is a ubiquitous statement. Judas Iscariot, and even the devil, himself, enjoy the inclusive spirit of this message from the church to the world.
The “God loves everybody” sentimentalism is surely nothing new. In fact, it is reasonable that this has always been part of the problem for ethnic Israel in the world. The world heard the message from the Bible being preached. It is the message of God’s exclusive love for His bride, the church (Eph 5:25), the Israel of God (Gal 6:16).
Of course, the doctrine of “the remnant” makes this all the more exclusive. The “You belong” message is actually true for a smaller group than is advertised. Logically, this is because the “You are loved,” message is far more particular than church marketing gurus would have you to believe. Simply put, it is false advertising.
The invasion of humanism, into the church, is subterfuge. It comes with inclusive language, imported from the world. Clever syncretists will extract one idea from the Bible, say, “God is love (1 Jn 4:8).” They will meld this truth with some worldly psychology, “Everyone has a need for belonging.” This unholy union between the church and world begets, “You are valued.” You, of course, means everyone, universally.
Humanism has one goal: elevate man. This is why the humanistic religion is focused on, “you.” The mastermind behind humanism is the devil, evidenced by his marketed, deity scheme to Adam and Eve, “You shall be like gods (Gen 3:5).”
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the message of the church of Jesus Christ. It is focused on God in Christ…not “you.” It is sourced in the sovereignty of God, which is a way of saying, “God does what He wants to do (Ps 115:3; 135:6).”
The Gospel tells us that God is doing something. His purpose in sending His Son to die (Eph 3:11) is to save His people from their sins (Mt 1:21). Adam lost his value when he chose to sin against God. He no longer belonged to Eden, the paradise of God. Seeing this truth, about everyone in Adam, should shift our focus from “you” to Jesus Christ. In other words, if you confess you have lost your value, then forsake this valueless world, and be conjoined to the place of true value — Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ was sent to redeem the garbage on the truck to Gehenna (Jerusalem’s ever-burning trash heap to the south of town). God’s motive in His sovereign choice to save some trash, is love. Mingled into the value-less garbage are the ones that, in love, He predestined to salvation before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4–5). The Lord knows those who belong to Him (2 Tim 2:10), and the Bible is clear about that not being everyone, everywhere.
Garbage is not in a position to choose to be salvaged, “I think I am going to get off this garbage truck heading for hell, of my own free will and choice, and give my filthy self to the holy God, as a gift.” This is a gross perversion.
Humanism is the deceived, arrogant, message of the world to God, not the message of God to the world. The glorious Gospel of God begins with God, not you, because you are not God. In the matter of love: God loves His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. If you do not have His Son (1 Jn 5:12), or do not belong to Him (Jn 10:26; Rom 8:9), you are none of His.
In an effort to be clear, albeit without a more comprehensive commentary, let me say with biblical veracity, “You are not loved. You are not valued. You do not belong.” The exception to this universal rule is…Jesus Christ. God loves His Son (Jn 3:35; 5:20). God values His Son (Mt 3:17; 17:5). God is in union with His Son (Jn 14:10).
The essential question, when dispelling the church’s wrong message is, “Are you in union with Christ?” Has God chosen to in-graft you, a dead branch, into the true and living Vine, Jesus Christ (Jn 15)? We must remember that no one in the world is seeking after God (Rom 3:10–12), until God has sought and found his lost sheep (Mt 15:24; Lk 15:6).
In this, we have seen the distortion of marketing a message that is true for the church, but fallaciously communicated to the world. If Christ is honestly and accurately lifted up, He will draw all men to himself (Jn 12:32); for the Father desires for all men to be saved and not perish (2 Pet 3:9). Any one of them, who belong to Him, will not perish, do not perish, cannot perish. The others do (Jn 3:16; Heb 9:27).
Christian, be on guard for the devil’s marketing of universalism. Observe with discerning scrutiny the terms, phrases, and sentences that God intends exclusively for His church in Christ, whom He loves in Christ, whom He values in Christ, and who belong to Him in Christ (1 Cor 3:23). This message is true; the other message is false.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
June 6, 2022
