There are times a preacher is asked, “Why do you preach? Do you really believe there is a God? And if there is, why is there so much pain and evil in the world? What makes you think you are right, and the other religions are wrong? After all, all roads lead to the same place anyway!”
The last question is the first reason I preach, because it is just a plain and simple false statement, and in a simpler time, a false statement was just called a lie! What has happened over time is the devil has replaced the millions of false idol statues seen in historical accounts of the Greeks, pharaohs and other societies. They have transformed in our “age of enlightenment” to become Universalist teachings or plain atheism. You see, even atheists have their own Universalist leanings, theirs just lead to
nothingness in death.
There are only two roads in life, one accepts Jesus Christ as a personal Savior and is transformed by the free gift of Grace to a new person in Christ, illuminated by the Truth. The other path is a path of sin and destruction, darkness and a death that does not lead to oblivion, but to judgment and eternal Punishment. My faith, my study of the bible and my common sense tells me there can be no other way.
I preach because I see the evidence of God all around me, not only in miracles I can attest to in my own life, but in the world around me, in the evidence of creation and a creator, and in a knowing that was placed in my heart many years ago, that I cannot rightly explain. Even in my worst days as a sinner, lusting after worldly things, I still knew there was a God, I just rebelled bitterly.
Finally, there are so many false preachers out there, as there have been for centuries, making a mockery of God’s Word and using it to fleece those seeking Him. Weather for personal financial gain, or for fame, it is all an abomination in the eyes of God, for it leads astray those souls looking for something to fill the void in their life.
The bible says in Proverbs 30:5,6 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. And the Lord spells out the punishment to those teaching or speaking falsely, proclaiming a false doctrine of Prosperity and positive thinking. In Revelation 21:8 we are told But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
I preach not to only accuse the false teachers, but to help those who are succumbing to the fleshly promises preached by these so called “prophets”. I preach, not because I am “holier than thou” or better than you, I preach because at one time I was most likely worse than you. I was pretty close to Paul in the category of “chief sinner”. Most assuredly, if the abomination or sin is listed in the bible, I am guilty and deserve judgment and punishment. I deserve the wrath of a just God; I expect nothing less than His righteous punishment for my sins and transgressions. But thankfully, He loved me enough to put the price of that sin on another’s back, His only begotten Son, and the debt was paid! By His Grace, we are healed of our unholiness and filthiness, given to the way to once again come before his presence sinless and justified, just as Adam and Eve were in the garden, before the fall.
I preach because I am compelled, because I am thankful, because I love, because I hurt for the lost sheep, because God is Just, because I have seen the light and because I am His. I am the embodiment of Ephesians 6:20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. I preach because I am humbled in His presence.
If you ever begin to question your faith from the bombardment of the worldly views, just remember there are only two true religions in this world, the religion of “I” or the religion of the cross. All the others point to the person and what he can do to achieve salvation or Heaven, only true Christianity points to Jesus and the sacrifice of the cross that has already been done, if we would only receive Him.
Now you know why I preach, because I love Jesus because He first loved me, and I can’t idly sit by while others are led astray. If only one is led to Jesus, it is all worthwhile. God Bless.
