Turn on the TV or radio and you will see that we have no shortage of talented preachers and charismatic personalities today. Nor are they short on relevance. American churches provide workshops and seminars on every contemporary subject—from homemaking to lovemaking.
But what is the outcome of all these relevant programs? Have our churches produced a vision for holiness? Are we seeing God more clearly? Are we hungrier for righteousness? Are we becoming broken and contrite, humble and lowly? Or are we being built up in our faith or just being affirmed?
Despite all of the Church’s activity, a basic doctrine that is seldom spoken of is “repentance from dead works” (Heb. 6:1). Whatever great things we may do to build people up, if it is not leading them into greater faith, it is just “dead works,” i.e., activities oriented to ‘self.’
Allow me some latitude in my edited translation of Matthew 7:22-23. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not teach people how to make the most of their time through our time-management seminars; and better use of their money through out budget planning discussion groups? Did we not help people feel better about themselves through our ‘weigh down’ workshops? And then will I say to you, I was not to be found in your programs.” In the critical times we are living in, it is imperative that we continually examine our activities to see if they are producing genuine faith (2 Corinthians 13:5).
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