Paul warned early Christians some were preaching “another Jesus whom we have not preached” (2 Cor. 11:2-4). Today many are not preaching the whole truth from God’s word concerning Jesus. Please consider how some are preaching “another Jesus” today.

1) Preach the baby Jesus without the Lord Jesus. Many pay homage to a Jesus that remains a plastic baby. He never speaks, he never acts, he never commands, he never demands, he remains passive and silent. This is the kind of Jesus they desire to “serve.” The real Jesus did not remain a baby in a manger. He grew up, taught us the truth, was crucified for our sins, ascended into heaven and was given “all authority” (Matt. 28:20) as “both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). We must confess and obey this Jesus to be saved! (Phil. 2:9-12; Heb. 5:9)

2) Preach the compassionate Jesus without the angry Jesus. Jesus was the ultimate example of compassion (Matt. 14:14). But some serve a Jesus who never gets upset and angry. This is not the Jesus of the Bible. The real Jesus was angry at wickedness, sin, false teachers and their doctrines! On one occasion when dealing with wicked people it is said He “looked around at them with anger” (Mk. 3:5). On another, his disciples remarked that “the Pharisees were offended” (Matt. 15:12) by what Jesus said. On another, He was angry enough to call people “Hypocrites!”, “blind guides,” “Fools,” “whitewashed tombs,” “Serpents, brood of vipers” (Matt. 23).

3) Preach the tolerant Jesus without the strict Jesus. Many view Jesus as ever tolerant of anybody and anything. The Jesus of the Bible showed great patience, but He never gave unquestioning acceptance! Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matt. 7:13-14) He also said (Matt. 7:21-23) that religion alone, regardless of how sincere, will not save us! But, we must do the will of His “Father in heaven,” otherwise on the day of judgment He will say to us, “I never knew you; depart from Me” (Matt. 7:23). Not presenting this aspect of Jesus is to preach “another Jesus”!

4) Preach the saving Jesus without the judging Jesus. Many people only want to know a Jesus who saves (Jn. 3:16). Undoubtedly the news of salvation is the most wonderful news ever heard. But, the real Jesus is not just a Savior, He will one day also be our judge. Paul said, “the Lord Jesus Christ...will judge the living and the dead at His appearing” (2 Tim. 4:1) and “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Cor. 5:10) Is it any wonder then that in view of this Paul said, “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men”? (2 Cor. 5:11)

Are you persuaded to be a faithful Christian obedient to Christ? You should be! What Jesus do you serve?

By Craig Thomas