I was watching a Christian-based movie from YouTube. Toward the end, one actor told another, “you are of such great value to Him that He was willing to die in your place.” I initially thought that was an acceptable line, but there was uneasiness. Why? Why was there a nudging within my spirit that something wasn’t quite right? After a bit, I understood.
It wasn’t that the words were blatantly non-biblical; but they were presented in a way that shifted the focus from where it belonged. It’s not that we are of such great importance that Christ died in our place. It’s that Christ’s love is of such great value that he died for us. HE is greatness, not us. HIS love is so pure. HIS goodness is so abounding. HIS sacrifice is where the focus should be rather than on our value.
While this distinction may seem minor or just a matter of semantics, it’s really very important. The difference is in how Scripture is handled. Those teachings promote self-ism as opposed to genuine worship of God and sincere gratitude for Christ’s redeeming work.
It simply isn’t a popular, sweet-sounding message for today's times when self-preservation and self-exaltation is the 'in' thing.
Very few will tolerate the following Bible verses as they are often considered too negative:
It wasn’t that the words were blatantly non-biblical; but they were presented in a way that shifted the focus from where it belonged. It’s not that we are of such great importance that Christ died in our place. It’s that Christ’s love is of such great value that he died for us. HE is greatness, not us. HIS love is so pure. HIS goodness is so abounding. HIS sacrifice is where the focus should be rather than on our value.
While this distinction may seem minor or just a matter of semantics, it’s really very important. The difference is in how Scripture is handled. Those teachings promote self-ism as opposed to genuine worship of God and sincere gratitude for Christ’s redeeming work.
It simply isn’t a popular, sweet-sounding message for today's times when self-preservation and self-exaltation is the 'in' thing.
Very few will tolerate the following Bible verses as they are often considered too negative:
Job 25:6 How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?
Psalms 22:6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
Isaiah 41:14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
Psalms 22:6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
Isaiah 41:14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
There are crucial differences in how Scripture is presented which dictates doctrine and ultimately affects faith. When listening to messages, look for WHO gets the focus of attention:
HE loves me -or- HE loves ME
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from Search the Scriptures: