"Instant Gratification"

 In today's fast moving society, full of individuals seeking after instant information - is the Church fully equipped to handle the questions from those seeking for answers to Christianity?

Unlike the days of our grandfather, today’s world is a finger texting, quick talking, high speed lanes, fast foods, channel flipping, throw it in the microwave, get out of my way, want it now generation. In addition, we are living in an age where people are not just asking questions, but if you do not have an immediate, responsive, valid, realistic answer waiting, they quickly move on. Therefore, the Christian must always be ready to give an answer to every man that asks for a reason of the hope that is in him with meekness and fear.

When Jesus gave us the commandment to go out and teach all nations, He did not forget to give us a message to teach. Why then do we keep referring to the Trinity as a mystery; after all, it is Christianity’s most important doctrine. What about the Virgin Birth, the Born-again experience or the differences between the soul and spirit and how they work in the salvation message? Can we explain these and other paranormal questions the world is asking today in a logical way that makes sense by using only the Bible as our reference? Paul wrote in 2^nd Timothy 4:2,

•  “Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lust shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn their ears from the truth, and be turned unto fables.” - (2 Tim. 4:2)

Certainly, things are different now than in the apostle’s or even our grandfather’s day, but that does not diminish the urgency of the Great Commission. In fact, as we see a decline in Christian believers and an increase in atheism and Islam today, that responsibility becomes even more demanding. What Jerry Falwell visualized for his Moral Majority movement in the eighties has afforded the opposite effect today. The immoral minority has definitely overtaken today’s Moral Majority.

So what is the answer? I believe you will find it specifically spelled out in the 6^th chapter of Ephesians. Flesh and blood is not our problem, except where apathy in the Church is concerned. Where are the tent revivals, Billy Sundays and Billy Grahams? Television is fine for sowing a seeds, but cannot take the place of an on fire man of God preaching a Holy Ghost filled message in a tent setting built on prayer. If the Church is to press forward with the Great Commission of today, it needs sound doctrine and valid responsive realistic answers for those who believe the Church is void of genuine answers. If Jesus merely gave us a mystery (Trinity) for ammunition to spread the Word, we are of a people most miserable. The principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness in high places were deceiving the elect and the elect bought the whole fabrication. The Trinity was always in the Bible, it was never a mystery and by merely understanding Trinity’s concept, we can provide most any realistic answer to any tough question a skeptic may submit.

The Great Commission never stopped with the advent of television. Jesus said, “Go out” and teach all nations, making disciples…” The Church of today shoulders the same responsibility as those of previous generations. As times change so must methods. The Church must keep abreast of God’s Word and what He is doing in these last days in order to satisfy an instant gratification generation seeking immediate answers. The book of Daniel declares, “They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” This is the Church’s greatest hour; let it not neglect this opportunity. "The Unveiling of the Trinity" is an excellent book that provides the whole picture of the Trinity, without the mystery. The updated version to simply be titled "The Mystery of the Trinity Revealed" and provide even more realistic answers than the previous version should be available by the end of this year. Don't be caught without your helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the "Word of God."