CONTRAST By Jeannette Haley

“Impact,” “Contrast,” and “the bottom line” were emphasized in my last article. Upon reflecting on those three terms, it occurred to me that those are basically some of the main elements I used to teach my art students. If a painting is to stand out and hold its own amid a world full of art, whether “the good, the bad, and the ugly”, then these three points definitely need to be present.

Paintings evoke different responses from even the most casual observer: for example, does it draw a person into it because it is emotionally soothing, joyful, beautiful, uplifting, inspiring, interesting or even downright captivating? Or, by contrast, is the artwork disturbing, bizarre, busy, confusing, sad, dark, murky, depressing or even foreboding? The latter can readily be seen literally everywhere these days as satanic influences use visuals to plant demonic images in people’s minds, especially impressionable children. Artists whose goal it is to communicate something to the observer know that the skillful use of composition, perspective, values, and complimentary colors can direct a person’s eyes to the focal point (or “bottom line”) of the painting, and that is usually where the greatest contrast is.

If we were to try and imagine for a moment our lives as a “painting,” what would they portray? In other words, what would the “focal point” be, and what would lead others to be impacted by it, to understand the contrast between the flesh and the spirit which would define “the bottom line?” I must admit that there are “shades” in my life that are too dark on some days, unpleasant on other days, and downright vain at other times. Sometimes the perspective is off because of the world, the flesh and the devil and only the Word of God can “paint over” that landscape as I allow Him to cause it to be renewed by pleasant hues of complimentary colors that only God can create. I suppose it could be said that we are all painting a picture of our lives as we walk through this world, but what kind of a picture does it present to others, and most importantly to the LORD?

Since “a picture is worth more than a thousand words,” what kind of a “picture” does the post-modern, organized church “paint” that is in sharp contrast to the world and its systems? The Bible tells us how the true church that Jesus is building contrasts with the world, and one such contrast is the “gates of hell” will come against it but shall not prevail because Jesus “Christ, the Son of the living God” is the foundation of the true church. (See Matthew 16:13-19.) “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence” Colossians 1:18. Therefore, if the real Jesus Christ of the Holy Bible is not the solid “Rock” foundation of any professing group, gathering, movement, ministry or church, you can bet your booties that it is not in sharp contrast with the world. Even though it may look good, sound good, feel good, and proclaim to be good, the “picture it paints” is carnal, worldly, devilish, deceptive and damned.

Jesus’ powerful words to the scribes and the Pharisees in Matthew 23 should be read, studied and meditated on in these latter days—days of people-pleasing “friendly,” “social,” churches of “lightness” (but not Light) that forbid any questioning, comments or information from the lips of “mere,” yet sincere, inquirers into the broader spectrum of every Word of God, including those things that are coming upon the earth; things in light of global events; things that are prophetical, or hard to understand, or that have been deemed as “controversial” even though they are in the Bible. Such things paint a “black and white” contrast because truth is light, and there is no darkness in God’s eternal truth; nevertheless, the ungodly are driven by the powers of darkness to paint and form a mixture of black and white to make many shades and hues of gray. In self-deception, tolerant compromisers proudly maintain their stand as “men of God” when they are neither godly nor possess the righteousness and light of Christ. Rightly could Jesus proclaim to many leaders of God’s flock today, “Woe unto you, [pastors, elders, teachers] hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.” …. “Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” Matthew 23:13, 28.

Remember, there is no contrast whatsoever between the Jesus of the New Testament and the Jesus of today. Hebrews 3:8 declares, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever” The words that He declared in the unaltered ancient texts are as true today as they have ever been; therefore, it still holds true that “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” Mark 16:16 and “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them a strong delusion that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12.

In my early years I worked different jobs as a secretary and loved office work. Young, fresh out of school, and full of zeal, yet without experience in the “real world,” I lacked the wisdom to guard my mouth when it came to personal knowledge and opinions, and that included biblical injunctions. Finally, one day a fellow co-worker said to me in all sincerity, “Not everything in the world is black or white you know. Some things are shades of gray.” That threw me into some confusion because to me right was right and wrong was wrong, but what if he was right and I was wrong? A few years later, another person chided me that, among other faults, I was “just too blunt.” That was true, but again, this confused me because I never saw myself that way; after all, all I was thinking in my mind was to honestly tell people the truth because I naively assumed that everyone who went to church, or who was even half decent, would appreciate knowing the truth. Not so, for Jesus said, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” John 3:19. The issues of “shades of gray,” which is confusion, not contrast, and how to present the truth are covered in Ephesians 4:13-15 “Till we all come to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”

Because the modern trend in mainstream churches today leans towards “tolerance,” would not Jesus say to them, “Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition”? And, “Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye” Mark 7:9, 13? The “tradition” of “tolerance” in the church world today has been, and is being, firmly established in place of the plain truths and teachings of God’s Word, while, at the same time, purporting that “tolerance” is in line with God’s will for the Church. On the contrary, God calls His people to “come out and be separate” (from the world) which produces an undefiled, uncompromised shining light in contrast to the darkness and deception of man’s own protocols. Such protocols are developed by those who feel inspired to establish something “new” or “better” or “more appealing” to people, and once these people-pleasing boundaries are defined and set in cement, no Scripture-based inquiries, questions, suggestions or honest challenges to the veracity of it are tolerated.

So much for “tolerance!” The Apostle Paul warned Timothy of that which would come in the last days, calling such times “perilous” and while there is true peril on every side, physically, mentally and spiritually, the peril of man’s hidden and subtle agendas and protocols and ways of “doing church” are perilous to undiscerning souls. Of such 2 Timothy 3:5 says, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

When the protocols and rules of men overshadow the clear admonitions and truths of God’s Word, that is when the “shades of gray” muddle the purity of God’s holy contrast of light, truth and life. The result is a backwash into the pond of human reasoning, and self-delusion, along with a lack of faith, power, clear understanding and purpose. A. W. Tozer wisely said: “One compromise here, another there and soon enough the so-called Christian and the man in the world look the same.” Even a casual glance at both the slovenly attire of leaders occupying the unappealing “place of the pulpit” today is offensive to those who do and give their best to the Master. Nothing is sacred anymore. Many of the new churches today are built, designed and furnished to resemble playhouses or theaters. There is no “holy awe” factor to them at all, no feeling of sacredness, or of a holy sanctuary separated from the noise and busyness of the world. Where has all the beauty gone? Many churches these days are painted black on the inside as if welcoming members of a satanic coven to come on in and “be one of us.” The contrast between these new “friendly churches” and the old-time true places of worship are stark, and that includes so-called “worship.” Vain repetition, loud beats, chanting, lack of meaningful melody and doctrinally unsound words are neither edifying nor spiritually uplifting. There is a difference, or stark contrast, between sacred and sensuous, godly and ungodly, worldly and holy, soulish and spiritual, entertaining and reverent, and the holy and the profane.

The Holy Bible is a book of contrast! “In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not” John 1:4-5.

A.W. Tozer summed it up when he said, “Religion today is not transforming people; rather it is being transformed by the people. It is not raising the moral level of society; it is descending to society’s own level, and congratulating itself that it has scored a victory because society is smilingly accepting its surrender.” Any spirit that permits compromise with the world is a false spirit. Any religious movement that imitates the world in any of its manifestations is false to the cross of Christ and on the side of the devil. We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. God offers life, but not an improved old life. The life He offers is life out of death.”