Following the cacophony of voices from Christian leaders before and after the general
elections in Nigeria, an associate pastor of mine sent me a text message. Among
several other things, he said: “Thank you for the simplicity you exhibit at presenting the
word of God yet very potent and life-changing without manipulation.” Those who follow
Christ will always face the temptation to choose between what is popular and what is
proper. It is not difficult to explain why popular things attract. People who follow popular
trends are often considered current and progressive. People with orthodox views are
labelled “old School”. We don’t need to be reminded that most people consider old
things a curse. Again following the train of populism could mean being celebrated by the
world. But that is where it ends. The futility of following trends is this: What is popular
today is soon outdated by tomorrow. This is why the Bible warns us against the fashions
of this world; they are illusory and transitory.
“We must accept that a popular thing is not necessarily the proper thing.”
We must accept that a popular thing is not necessarily the proper thing. What gives you
approval before men might score you poorly before God, the ultimate Judge. Hear what
Jesus said about this: "There's trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of
others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not
truth contests–look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors!
Your task is to be true, not popular.” (Luke 6:26, MSG). Whether preachers or church
members, we must aspire to be true even if we are not popular.