Dave Chanski

If a ministry is to be properly Christ-centered, it must give the Lord Jesus Christ prominence as Prophet, Priest, and King of His people. All too often in our generation of “we-wouldn’t-want-to-offend-anyone” Christianity, Christ’s kingship is conveniently ignored if not openly denied. As King, He rightfully demands His people’s obedience and supreme devotion and loyalty. The New Testament is crystal clear at this point. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). The Apostle John wrote, “He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4).

But from pulpit after pulpit in our day, we hear the message, “You may accept Christ as your Savior without having Him as your Lord.” This justifies the chorus heard all too frequently from the pew, “We will not have this man to reign over us!” (Luke 19:14). Whatever such a ministry may be called, it is not “Christ-centered”. Man-centered or sinner-centered, maybe, but not “Christ-centered”.

To refuse to give Christ his rightful place as King is a grievous theological error, to be sure. Worse yet, it really borders on blasphemy, because it effectually strips the Lord of one of the offices to which He was anointed by the Father. Moreover, it is a greatly destructive error, for many have been terribly deceived by it. This scene, depicted in a paraphrase of Jesus’ own words, will doubtlessly be repeated many times over in the last day:

Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not accept you as Savior–even if not as Lord? Did we not walk the aisle in Your name, and pray the sinner’s prayer in Your name?” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (see Matthew 7:21-23)

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