Since coming to faith in Jesus Christ, many believers find themselves asking hard questions—questions that echo across generations. Why has “The Way” that Jesus and His apostles preached become entangled in man-made religion? Why do so few who claim Christ share Him with others? Why is Christ-likeness no longer the goal of many professing believers? And why has the gospel message been turned into a marketplace for profit?
These are not small concerns. They strike at the very heart of what it means to follow Jesus.
The Simplicity of the Gospel vs. The Complexity of Religion
When Jesus walked the earth, He called people to follow Him, not a system. The earliest believers were simply known as followers of “The Way” (Acts 9:2). Salvation was—and still is—by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Yet over time, man has added layers of tradition, ritual, and requirements that obscure the beauty of God’s free gift.
Paul warned against this very thing:
“I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ.” (Galatians 1:6-7, BSB)
A distorted gospel is not good news at all. It burdens people with rules and expectations that God never gave. It replaces childlike faith with legalism or empty ritual. The enemy has no new tricks—he simply repackages the same old deceptions, convincing people that Christ’s finished work needs human improvement.
The Silence of the Saints
If the gospel is the best news in the world, why do so few share it? Have we lost our sense of urgency? The early church grew because believers were unashamed to proclaim Christ. Even under persecution, they could not be silenced.
Yet today, many believers seem content to keep their faith private, as if Jesus were a personal accessory rather than the Lord of all. Could it be that comfort has dulled our conviction? Or have we allowed fear of man to outweigh the fear of God? Paul’s words challenge us:
“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” (Romans 1:16, BSB)
Jesus didn’t call us to hoard the gospel—He commanded us to proclaim it (Matthew 28:19-20). If we truly grasp the depth of His grace, how can we keep silent?
The Lost Pursuit of Christ-likeness
Christianity is not just about believing in Jesus; it is about becoming like Him. Paul wrote,
“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1, BSB)
Yet today, many professing Christians are more eager to imitate celebrities, influencers, and worldly trends than the Savior who died for them. True discipleship is costly. It requires surrender, obedience, and transformation. But too often, modern Christianity seeks comfort over character.
Where are the believers who hunger and thirst for righteousness? Where are those who long to reflect Jesus in their speech, actions, and priorities? The call remains:
“Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.” (1 John 2:6, BSB)
The Merchandising of Faith
Another troubling reality is the commercialization of Christianity. The truth that was freely given is now sold at a price. Christian authors, conference speakers, and influencers have become celebrities, while their platforms often overshadow the message they claim to preach.
Jesus Himself drove out the moneychangers from the temple, declaring,
“It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer.’ But you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” (Matthew 21:13, BSB)
There is nothing wrong with books, conferences, or resources that equip believers—but when profit takes precedence over purity, when branding replaces brokenness, and when the gospel is used as a business strategy rather than a call to repentance, something has gone terribly wrong.
If your latest book is so great and needed by the church, then why haven’t you made it available at no cost through the internet? If it’s truly a message from God, shouldn’t the priority be getting it into as many hands as possible, rather than selling it to the highest bidder? Paul wrote,
“For we are not like so many others, who peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as men sent from God.” (2 Corinthians 2:17, BSB)
The gospel is not a product to be marketed—it is a treasure to be shared. When ministry turns into a business, we must ask: Have we lost sight of the One we claim to serve?
A Call Back to The Way
Despite all these concerns, the hope of the gospel remains unchanged. Jesus Christ is still building His church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). But we, as His people, must return to the simplicity and purity of our faith.
- Let us reject man-made additions and return to the unfiltered gospel of grace.
- Let us boldly proclaim Christ, unashamed and unafraid.
- Let us make Christ-likeness our highest aim, rather than worldly success.
- Let us guard the gospel from becoming a mere commodity, remembering that it was bought at the highest price—the blood of Christ.
The question is not just, “Where has The Way gone?” but rather, “Are we willing to walk in it?”
“Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 6:16, BSB)
Let’s walk in The Way once again.
Learn Christ 