In his book, Why One Way, John MacArthur asks the following question:"Why do evangelicals try so desperately to court the world's favor? Churches plan their worship services to cater to the 'unchurch.' Christian performers ape every worldly fad in music and entertainment. Preachers are terrified that the offense of the gospel might turn someone against them; so they deliberately omit the parts of the message the world might not like" (p.1). If Jesus is going to build His church, it will not happen by omitting the parts of His gospel that are offensive. Nor will it happen if His people cater to the unchurched. The gospel is not addition to one's life. It is, as Jesus said, to "deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" (Mat.16:24). It is losing your life for His sake and finding it (v.25). Or giving your life in exchange for His (v.26). The apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:18 that our message would be perceived as "foolishness." He said, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." If this is true, then how can we, as representatives of Jesus Christ, soften or omit parts of His message? Our efforts to reach the lost must never include catering to them. For the church to be salt and light it must submit to what the Bible says is God's building plan.
As you present the Gospel in your daily living, don't refuse to share the parts that might be uncomfortable. If you do, then you may be making a following of you instead of a follower of Christ. For a person to appreciate the good news he must first understand the bad. Share the full gospel today and leave the results to God.
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