While everyone is stuck in quarantine, we are having to find new ways to entertain ourselves. Social media has never failed when it comes to mindless and meaningless entertainment. A popular game everyone is playing right now is called “Unpopular Opinions.” It’s where you have to list ten opinions you have that would be unpopular with everyone else. For example, if a lot of people like a certain TV show, but you don’t…that is one of your unpopular opinions. In other words, you are going against the majority. For the most part, this has been a very entertaining game with lots of laughs with most people knowing that it’s all for fun and entertainment and there’s no hard feelings.
However, it got me thinking about a different kind of unpopular opinion. It got me wondering about unpopular spiritual opinions. What are some spiritual opinions that the majority of people wouldn’t like to hear or think they are unpopular? Below is a list (in no particular order) of unpopular spiritual opinions:
- Jesus is the only way to Heaven (John 14:6) – The Virgin Mary, John Calvin, John the Baptist, or any other man or woman are not the way to Heaven. Jesus, the Son of God and Messiah, is the only way to spend eternity with God. How does Jesus get us into Heaven? See #2.
- Baptism is necessary for salvation (1 Peter 3:21; Romans 6; Gal. 3:27-29) – There’s no Sinner’s Prayer in the Bible. There is no “accepting Jesus in your heart” in the Bible. There is no “just believe” or “faith only” (James has much to say on this topic). “Being a good person” is not “good enough.” However, what we do have is the Bible clearly states “baptism now saves us” (1 Peter 3:21). It doesn’t get clearer than that. You can argue and disagree all you want, but the Bible says it. Romans tells us that baptism is being crucified with Christ…how can we live with Christ if we haven’t first died with Him? Galatians 3 tells us that only when we have been baptized, can we be heirs according to the promise. That means we can inherit eternal life.
- The Bible is God’s only book (2 Tim. 3:16-17) – the Bible is given by God. It’s perfect and complete…lacking nothing. Why would we need another book (Book of Mormon, Baptist Handbook, etc.) to “clarify” or “add to” God’s book? Such books assume that God’s book is not perfect and complete.
- Sin is dangerous (Romans 3:23; 6:23) – Most people, knowing the consequences of sin, continue to live in sin. That tells me they don’t truly understand (or care) about how dangerous sin truly is. Sin kills.
- There’s no such thing as “little sins” and “big sins” (James 2:10) – James teaches us that if we keep the entire law, but stumble in one area…we are guilty of all. Sure, I haven’t murdered anyone, stolen millions of dollars, or planned a terrorist attack (all pretty big sins). However, if I gossip, lie, hate my church family, talk behind people’s backs (slander/gossip), etc. then I am guilty of sin. And as we already looked at #4…sin is dangerous and worthy of death.
There are more unpopular opinions that could be discussed, but I believe I’m already past my minute for “Monday’s Minute.” Study these topics and see what the Bible says. After all, the Bible is our authority. Don’t let this world tell you what your thoughts and opinions should be. Don’t let you thoughts and opinions tell you what the Bible should say. Instead, use the Bible to form your thoughts and opinions. After all…the Bible is perfect and complete and Jesus is the only way to Heaven. I would much rather make sure I follow Him than anything else.
~ Kevin
Listen to The Good Life podcast by clicking here!