Word of Mouth-John Reuben

I recently listened to a radio interview with a celebrity promoting a particular "flavor" as my pastor likes to say. As I listened (which I really should not do because I always end up screaming at the TV or phone) I realized that the person never mentioned Christ. He talked about faith and Goda little  but he mostly just talked about this brand of Christianity and why he became involved with it. It got me thinking about why we so often talk about our religion but very seldom talk about Jesus Christ. After all, He is the reason for the religion. The Church-all followers of Christ regardless of location, denomination, race, etc-exists only because of Christ. It is Christ we should talking about and proclaiming to the masses. I wonder if it is easier or more comfortable to promote church instead of Christ. A song by John Reuben came to mind:

Good God please have mercy
Let’s kick the machine till it’s working
Everybody’s got a great idea
Do you own the one you’re encouraging
There’s a first time for everything
After that it starts to get confusing
Hold onto your identities loosely
At least the revolution will be amusing

Word of mouth
This is what everybody’s talking about
So you can tell somebody to tell somebody
That the next new thing is the same old thing

We came and we quickly left
We took what we could get
I guess we weren’t impressed
We bored ourselves instead
What’s after what’s next
What’s left to get off your chest
Walking in circles retracing steps
How many ways can we package the concept
Mundane it’s all the same
Remind me later when nothing’s changed
Time will tell let the future explain
Until then we’ve got history to make
Trend-setters real go-getters
Closed-minded free-thinking hipsters
Instant classics adored by critics
It’s just music for the kids

 

 

The song tells us that everybody has something to talk about, therefore, they are telling everyone via word of mouth. But is really worth saying. Sometimes all our talk about religion, theologies, and doctrines take away from the simple truth that we are all sinners in need of a savior and that savior is Jesus Christ who was crucified and raised back to life.

 

Paul warns us that people who preach or speak of anything contrary to the teaching of the Gospel are harmful.

  Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. 18For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting ( Romans 16:17-18 NASB)

 

Let us remember to test everything against the Bible. If it causes division rather unity, hate rather than love, or fear rather than freedom then it is not a trustworthy saying. Our words should preach Christ, encourage the Church, and bring freedom to those in bondage as Isaiah 61:1 states.

 

Lyrics: http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/lyrics/new/track.asp?track_id=7046

 

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAjyce9thMk