The 2 greatest threats to the church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ are what? What would you say? Where would you point an accusing finger? (Remember that for every finger you point at someone else, three are pointing back at you and one - thumb - is pointing to God.)

I think perhaps the writer of I, II, and III John (whom I also believe to be the Apostle John and the writer of the both the Gospel of John and the Revelation) is correct to stress Truth and Love. These two touch-points should make us aware of the real danger to the church.

First, the truth.

One threat to the church and to the gospel is from outside the "boundary" separating the believers from the non-believers. (Of course, having said that, a secondary danger is the desire to define either too narrowly or too broadly who is "in" and who is "out." From the narrow end, we have those whose definition of being a Christian is so legalistic that most of the Apostles themselves couldn't belong, and the broad end would allow anyone who believes in a god to be counted as "one of us." Obviously, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.) Moving on.

From outside the church, I don't believe we are seriously threatened by those who accept abortion on demand, stem cell research, or gay marriage. These people may give some of us heartburn but they don't really threaten the gospel. Rather, I believe it is those who would raise serious denials of the nature and work of Jesus Christ. Things like, "Jesus wasn't really the incarnate Son of God; that doesn't make any sense." Or, "The resurrection was a spiritual act whereby the Apostles and others understood that all that Jesus stood for was born inside them and they were sent to carry His message of love and hope for a better world." Or, "God is so vast and so complex that it takes all of the faith systems on the earth to comprehend Him - or It; there is no simple one-way to God."

So, threat nomber one is the denial of the truth of God as He has revealed Himself through what we call the Bible.

The answer. Believers in Jesus Christ as God's Son and Atoning Savior need to be clear about these facts and this truth. Everything we are and believe hinges on this one truth of Jesus Christ. If the world chooses to not accept it and make of fun of those who do, so be it. We know the Truth and the Truth has set us free.

Second, the Love.

I believe the second greatest danger to the church and the gospel is from within the body of Christ itself. It is found in those who have a level of faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior but have never had their lives transformed by the Love of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

What I mean is, the church has so many people who know the truth by affirmation but not by experience and conviction that we are in great danger of having such a watered-down faith that we cease to be light and salt. The love of Christ does not compel us to faithfulness or growth or outreach or servanthood - IN THE NAME OF AND FOR THE SAKE OF JESUS CHRIST. So the world looks at the church and sees good and moral people, but it often sees better people doing better things by looking at unbelievers. The result is that Christians don't stand for anything different than anybody else.

The answer. It is the love of Jesus Christ working through us unashamedly which will cause the unbelieving world to take notice. They may like or dislike what we have to offer in Jesus, but they will have a distinct choice. And it will not be a call to a higher moral code, but to the person and work of God through His Son Jesus Christ.

Truth and love. They're what make God's world go around.

Cahrlie