Reading through the “MacArthur New Testament Commentary” on Philippians, I came across this comment from Pastor MacArthur: “Tragically, evangelicalism today seeks to remove the effects of preaching on sin and repentance, holiness and humility, in an effort to make the message more acceptable to fallen, depraved human nature. A growing number of churches intentionally play down the biblical elements of salvation and the demands of true discipleship.”
Tragic indeed. Even more frightening is the fact I have witnessed this trend in churches over the past 20-30 years. No longer do you hear the old “fire and brimstone messages”. Is it because we are better off now and less in need of a Savior than in the days past? Far from it, I would say. The need has not waned, but the conviction has.