False Advertising!

False Advertising!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
 One of those "witness" t-shirts caught my attention recently.   To be honest, I don't pay a whole lot of attention to a lot of the "Jesus Junk".  In witnessing for Christ I believe your life is far more important than you linen - but I'm not terribly opposed to them either.  This shirt, however, was like fingernails on a chalk board for me.  It was a take off on the familiar commercial for an office supply company.  You've seen it - the big read button with "Easy" emblazoned on it.  The implication is that if things at your office are chaotic and out of control - all you have to do is hit the button and life is good again.  Ok, now to the t-shirt.  There in the middle of the shirt is a big red button; but instead of "easy" it has "Jesus" written on it with "It's just that easy" directly below the Jesus Button.  Cute!  If life is chaotic, if things are spinning out of control - just a quick prayer to Jesus and life is good again!! 
Instead of being impressed with the creative "witnessing" tool I simply cringed.  I literally got a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach and I wanted to shout - "False advertising!"  Why?   Well, I've been walking with Jesus for a long time now and I can assure you it ain't always "easy"!  A quickie prayer lifted from an exasperated heart does not always result in instant relief from the trial or test.  I suppose if you listened to many of the TV Evangelists you could get the same idea.  Drop a check in the mail with your "seed faith offering" and all of life's trials will turn into your "miracle harvest".  My experience and more importantly the Word of God say otherwise, however.
The reason the goofy t-shirt had such an emotional impact on me is that this false teaching is permeating the Evangelical World today and it's dangerous.  Dangerous because it gives false hope and false expectations to gullible Christians.  And it's not new.  I remember the old Gospel song that I loved to sing that said in part, "and just a little talk with Jesus makes it right."  Cute, catchy but not true.  I've been through some experiences and you probably have too - when you've had hundreds of "little talks" with Jesus and things have actually gotten worse!!  During some trying times with our family I remember crying and weeping all night long.  Cried until there were no more tears.  Pleaded with God to answer me - and yet the answer (for the time being) was no where in sight.   If pushing the "Jesus Button" was the answer - my fingers would have been bloody from pushing.  Now, God ultimately did answer.  God brought miraculous answers to our family - but it wasn't "easy" or quick.
What does scripture say about the "Jesus button"?   Ac 14:22 "...and that we must through much tribulation enter into the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />kingdom of God."  2Ti 3:12 "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."  1Pe 1:7 "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:"  And there are many more!   Jesus never promised us comfort, ease, convenience but He did promise us His peace.  He promised to never leave or forsake.  He promised that when we walk through the deep, dark valleys that we find in this life that we would never be alone.  He promised that "all things work together for good".  He promised that he would take those "all things" and "conform us to the image of His son".   He never, however, promised that this life would be "easy". 
You've heard the phrase, "been there, done that, got the t-shirt".  I've been there, done that - but I think I'll leave this shirt hanging on the rack.  I'm not going to be guilty of false advertising. 
 

Support Our Broadcast Network

We're a 100% Listener Supported Network

3 Simple Ways to Support WVW Foundation

Credit Card
100% Tax-Deductable
Paypal
100% Tax-Deductable

Make Monthly Donations

 

-or-

A One-Time Donation

 
Mail or Phone
100% Tax-Deductable
  • Mail In Your Donation

    Worldview Weekend Foundation
    PO BOX 1690
    Collierville, TN, 38027 USA

  • Donate by Phone

    901-825-0652

WorldviewFinancialTV.com Banner