The Relevance of Breathing

How relevant is breathing oxygen to your life?  Do you wake up in the morning thinking to yourself, "You know, breathing oxygen just doesn't seem as relevant as it used to...I need to think of a way to make breathing oxygen more relevant to the new generation of people growing up in our world."  You don't think this way, nor do I.  We just breathe naturally with very little thought.  It is a part of our human make-up and doesn't need me to make it relevant.  It IS relevant and will always be so.

Beloved, the same is true with the Word of God and the Church.  Many in the evangelical church of our day have determined that the Word of God is no longer relevant to our modern generations as it has been given to us.  They believe that the preached Word is antiquated and outdated.  The "guru's" of the modern church have determined that it is their responsibility to make the Word of God and the church relevant once again.  So, hot-hearted preaching has given way to conversational dialogue from a stool or chair.  Sermons on Hell, judgement, self-sacrifice, suffering and responsibility are nearly non-existent and topical preaching on subjects such as success, self-esteem and financial prosperity can be found in abundance.  Church leaders of this sort believe they are "helping God out" by making the church attractive to people in the world.  They wrongly conclude that they have made the Word and the church relevant once again.  Focus clearly and intently on what you are about to read: The Word of God is relevant just like oxygen!  It doesn't need me to "tinker" with it to make it relevant...it IS relevant.  It has always been relevant and always will be relevant.  Pastors and preachers have no need to preach some topics that are "attractive" and avoid those that are "hard"...we must simply preach the Word as it has been given to us and the Holy Spirit will draw and transform hearts.  The church dare not substitute entertainment, self-help counseling and the latest programs for genuine worship centered on humbling ourselves before our Holy Lord and feasting on the "whole counsel of God."

We don't have to make breathing oxygen relevant...it just is.  We don't have to make the Word of God and the church relevant...it just is.  Quit breathing and you die!  Quit accepting the Word of God as it has been given to us and you die spiritually.  Something to think about......