It is somewhat fashionable these days to talk about God. In many such conversations, God is viewed as a talisman, sugar-daddy, or teddy bear who only wants to make our lives successful, comfortable, prosperous, and without sickness or disease. Yes, it is fashionable to talk about God, as long as that talk is all positive and affirming.

Many dangers accompany such God-talk, not the least of which is a misrepresentation of the God of the Bible. Many today have broken the second commandment by verbally creating an image of God to worship that suits their tastes and perceived needs. The Maker of the universe, the Sovereign God does not stand ready to fulfill our commands.

Another subtle but even more dangerous element of this type of God-talk is that it leaves Jesus out of the conversation. I can understand why that is – this verbal golden calf God is nonthreatening, but Jesus is offensive. When we speak of Jesus, we are reminded of his cross and to the lost person that is offensive (1 Corinthians 1:18). That Jesus came reminds us that we are hopeless sinners who stand in need of God’s intervention.  We are not OK, we cannot look within ourselves for answers, we are desperately in need of a Savior.

The Bible makes it clear that Jesus is the central focus of any conversation about God, life, death, eternity, etc.

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. (Colossians 2:8-10)

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him,“Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 16:13-17)

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

Listen (and read) carefully what others are saying about God. If they speak of God only in general feel-good terms and leave Jesus, the Cross, repentance, and obedience out of the conversation then avoid and ignore them. Let’s talk up Jesus. Let’s proclaim Him. Submitting to His Lordship is the ONLY solution to our culture’s ills and the only answer to the deeply seated issues we face in life today.

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…(Hebrews 1:1-3)