You Can’t Be A-Bendin’ God to Suit Yourself
Alright, if’n that don’t beat all, Butterbean, come on over here and settle yourself in on this here lil’ ol’ wobbly wrought iron chair on this here front porch like a lil’ rooster ‘a-tryin’ to be ‘a-figurin’ out how ta’ be ‘a-balancin’ on a greased fence post ‘cause we’re ‘bout to go ‘a-wanderin’ into one o’ them there truths that’s hotter than a cast iron skillet left out in the sunshine in the August heat. Second Timothy 4:3 done says, “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching.” That there is the Bible’s way of warnin’ us that folks’ll go ‘a-lookin’ for preachers who’d done be ‘a-scratchin’ their ears like a barn cat ‘a-beggin’ for attention. And Psalm 119:160 reminds us, “All Your words are true.” Put those two together and you’d done be ‘a-gittin’ this here message that reminds us that God’s truth don’t go to bendin’ jus’ ‘cause the culture is ‘a-hollerin’ for somethin’ a whole lot softer and easier.
Now, listen here, by thunder, Butterbean, there used to be a time when folks done complained ‘bout too much hellfire preachin’. But these days, you’d done have a whole lot better luck ‘a-findin’ a polite skunk than ‘a-hearin’ a sermon that done mentions anything ‘bout judgment. Some churches wouldn’t be ‘a-lettin’ somebody like Jonathan Edwards within ten miles of their pulpit. You gotta be recallin’ that Edwards was a great preacher who done preached ‘bout repentin’ as he led in that there first Great Awakening. Instead, folks be a-wantin’ a God who done smiles real sweetly, pats ‘em on the head, and never mentions anything ‘bout repentin’. That there jes’ ain’t the God of Scripture, though. That there is one o’ them lil ol’ Build-A-Bear versions of God that’s done stuffed with lots fluff and no holiness.
Some folks be ‘a-treatin’ God like a cosmic grandpa who just wants everybody to be “true to themselves,” even if “themselves” is done actin’ wilder than a goat in a gum factory. Other folks be ‘a-treatin’ Him like a pagan god who done jus’ needs a few rituals tossed oer’ His way so’s they can be buildin’ up sin credits for the rest o’ the week. But when we start ‘a-pickin’ and ‘a-choosin’ the parts of God we be ‘a-thinkin’ we like, well, we jes’ ain’t worshipin’ Him no more. We are ‘a-makin’ God into our own image, like a lil’ child ‘a-drawin’ a stick figure and then ‘a-callin’ it a great masterpiece.
The gospel jes’ ain’t like no cafeteria buffet line. You can’t be takin’ Heaven and forgiveness while leavin’ out repentance an’ lettin’ it be ‘a-sittin’ there like cold, dried-out cornbread that nobody is ‘a-wantin’. If we be ‘a-leavin’ out the parts that done go to pinchin’ at our toes, we’re not preachin’ the gospel at all no more. We’re servin’ up some o’ that there spiritual sweet tea that’s so watered down it couldn’t even be ‘a-puttin’ no flavor at all into even a lil’ ol’ thimble.
We can’t be controlin’ this here ol’ world, but we sho’-nuff can refusin’ to be ‘a-lettin’ the world be ‘a-shapin’ our own beliefs. God done calls us to be ‘a-sharin’ the whole gospel, grace and truth, love and repentance, mercy and holiness.
Father, help me be ‘a-standin’ firm in Your truth, even when the world is ‘a-tuggin’ me in every direction. Keep me bold, keep me tender, and keep me faithful to Your whole Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now, Buttercup, as you step off this here porch, you gotta be knowin’ that a gospel without no truth is ‘bout as useless as a scarecrow without no straw. A faith that done goes to bendin’ to that there culture of the times’ll be ‘a-snappin’ like a lil’ twig in a windstorm. But when you done git to holdin’ real tight to God’s whole truth, you’ll be ‘a-standin’ real steady, ‘a-shinin’ real bright, and ‘a-helpin’ others to be ‘a-findin their way back ta’ home.
With joy,
Gwen
