Fluff

You've probably heard the phrase, "Imitation is the highest form of flattery."

But when people imitate others in a mocking way, that's different.

Sometimes, famous or infamous people are mocked when their mannerisms are exaggerated.

For those who are mocked, it can be uncomfortable.

What about the mockers?

They could be in the category that the Bible says will come.

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 2 Peter 3:3-4

They're NOT ready to meet the Lord when He returns. Matthew 25:1-13

Regarding the end times and people being ready or not, the Lord Jesus Christ said to His first disciples,

"Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." Luke 12:40

STAND UP COMEDY

Some comedians were mocking in their act and said to the audience,

"This kind of looks like a megachurch." [A church with a very large number who attend services]

One of the comedians said, "I could be a pastor of a megachurch."

"All you need is a few things you say over and over again. That's all there is to it."

Then this comedian started to imitate in an affected, loud preacher's voice --

"We have people in this church that want to stay where they should not stay. And we have other people in this church that want to go where they should not go."

The audience laughed hysterically.

Why?

Maybe because it rang true that this is what they've heard or they believe is spoken by megachurch pastors.

A message like this that was imitated might be called, fluff.

WHAT IS FLUFF?

It's words that contain mostly spiritual baby food, if that, mixed with the thinking of the majority of people, whether believers or not.

Some might call it psycho-babble, hot air, platitudes, or rhetoric.

Jesus might call it an idle, careless, useless word Matthew 12:36 or foolishness. Mark 7:22

So, instead of fluff, what should believers proclaim?

It could be the milk of the word. 1 Corinthians 3:2; 1 Peter 2:2-3

It could be the meat of the word. 1 Corinthians 3:2

It could be strong meat. Hebrews 5:14

In all seasons, there are reasons to communicate the word with boldness. Acts 4:29, 31; Ephesians 6:19-20

Paul wrote to Timothy, Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2

Why?

For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

One of the criticisms of large church groups is that people can hide among the crowd.

Another is that pastors, teachers, and preachers tend to have messages that cater to what the majority wants, not what they need to grow spiritually.

And what many want is fluff, not sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness. 1 Timothy 6:3

What about you and me?

Do we really hunger and thirst for righteousness?

Do we want the meat and strong meat of His life to satisfy our spiritual hunger?

Do we want the milk and water of His life to quench our spiritual thirst?

If so, Jesus said that we're blessed and we'll be filled. Matthew 5:6

HIS SUPREMACY

Is Jesus number one?

He is also the head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. Colossians 1:18

People said to one of the Lord's disciples,

"Sir, we wish to see Jesus." John 12:20-21

In all of our speaking the truth in love, Ephesians 4:15 whether to a large group or to only one other, do we want them to see Jesus?

Do we want our speech to NOT scratch and tickle itching ears but instead to be filled with the Father's grace: His amazing, unearned favor because He loved the world and us so much that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, so that we can believe in Him and have eternal life? John 3:16

Do we want our words to bear witness to Jesus as the King of kings and Lord of lords 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 19:16 and to encourage and challenge believers to grow? James 4:6-10; 2 Peter 3:18

Do we want the communication of our faith to become effective by acknowledging every good thing that we have because of Him? Philemon v.6

THE BIBLE'S BUILT-IN POWER

Paul wrote, All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

For I [Paul] am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16

Let's read, study, and use it, NOT fluff.

Your thoughts?

R. Jason