Paul David Washer - Why are there not more of him?!

So I was checking out some videos on God Tube today and came accross this one:




The guy speaking is Paul David Washer, and he's speaking at a youth conference in 2002 in Alabama. So who is Paul David Washer. For more info on the ministry he's involved with, check out: http://www.heartcrymissionary.com/

I greatly enjoyed hearing his message...not because I agreed with how he presented it, or necessarily all that he said...but the underlying jest is something I can connect with: the church today has become filled with attendees of the faith, not servants, workers, and defenders.

We're preached to about the love of God, the grace of God, and yet for some reason those concepts are taken as reasons for us to not participate in our churches, to be active in ministries, or to really strive to live according to the Bible. No instead there's an attitude of "Well, even if i mess up I've accepted Christ and I'm saved, and any sin I do just damages our relationship and that can always be mended."

Really? Would we actually treat our flesh and blood best friend that way? Would we do things to damage a relationship knowing that "they'll forgive me and things will be alright eventually"? Of course we wouldn't...and yet God seems to hold a different place in our lives...that although we love the human traits we assign to him like love, compassion, gentleness, etc., we also keep the fact that he is God (creator, ruler, king) in our back pocket so that we have the best of both worlds.

Whether you agree or disagree with Paul Washer, the bigger issue is that hearing what he has to say should make you think...should challenge your faith...you might agree, you might disagree, you might be full out angry or outraged. Good...hopefully that translates into discussion and passion within our churches.

CC