"Approaching God's Word"

I read different blogs and bulletins. I don't take a lot of time with them but I do read some. Something that has caught my attention is how "preachers" are starting to make the word of God sound more like a 'romance' novel rather than the seriousness of the word of God.

We are talking about THE WORD OF GOD! Not a Reader's Digest or some sort of "love letters." Maybe I am missing something but that really irritates me. People seem to be reducing the words that passed the lips of God as some sort of man made idea rather than a powerful, spiritual word that will make drastic changes within your heart if you are a serious believer (I Thes. 2:13). I realize our past experiences and how we think affect how we approach and read the word. But we, in Christ Jesus, should approach God's word as seriously as our Savior approached His Father's word and will.

God takes our sin seriously! Man doesn't because we live with sin all around and at times live in it ourselves. Jesus was ever so serious as He voluntarily laid His life down, costing Him everything for our sins. The last word for us that passed the lips of God is not about sin; it's about Christ dealing with our sins. He loves beyond our imagination but let's not turn His word into some 'love letter'! Our cultural climate is not only filled with this cheap idea but too much 'sugar and spice.' All of this reduces everything in the Holy Scriptures to a wooing note or some sweet romance. The end result: people not taking God seriously and just following what they feel and want, thinking He will accept anything as long as it done with sincerity! I agree with the idea that the word is a message from God speaking of His great, unfathomable depth of love for us. To read His word any other way would cause us to miss the tender and mighty love of God. Some use the word of God as a "hell, fire and damnation" text, isolating it in which they continually rage, is the misreading and misleading of the Scriptures.

The bottom line: God speaks to us about His unceasing love but also His justice and judgment. Love involves both (Rom. 11:22)! God revealed every thing of Himself in Jesus Christ. If we would only listen to what Jesus speaks, He speaks the truth He got from God. Too many are picking and choosing what they want to hear and have Him say. That's not healthy spiritually. Just look at the product in many a congregation of the Lord. The lack of reverence, respect and humility at the word of God. Don't let some self-righteous, sour preacher/teacher tell you his side of God and don't let some 'high in the sky', fluffy duffy tell you "love, love, love." Both are detrimental spiritual. Let's hold honestly to the whole, knowing the steadfast love of the Lord will care for those who are deeply grateful, serious and lives have been touched by His substitution in our place. Open our eyes Lord!