"The following program may contain material which some viewers may find objectionable."

That warning is what appeared prior to the airing of a one hour program on PBS last evening. The name of that program: The Jesus Factor. The content: How the Gospel of Jesus Christ has influenced the life of President of the United States George Bush.

Throughout the show, many clips of President Bush were shown at different functions invoking the name of Jesus, testifying as to how becoming a born-again Christian has changed his heart and life, and how his reliance upon the Word of God sustains and guides him. For myself, there was nothing I found objectionable within the content of President Bush's words or the premise of the show. On the contrary, this was an opportune moment for the born-again Christian to offer praise and worship of our Lord in that our President accepts the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ offered by the grace of our Heavenly Father. So why would the PBS network consider a warning for objectionable material necessary prior to the show's airing?

This is why:

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18)

People don't want to hear the name of Jesus, nor consider their need for the Gospel of salvation. So naturally, when they hear the name of Jesus, their heart is convicted for their need to be saved:

"And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth." (1 Corinthians 14:25)

Unfortunately, mankind loves their sin too much. They don't want to give up their wicked ways of unbelief, being abominable, murdering, whoremongering, sorceries, idolatry and lying. Therefore, we have the age old story of not only hating the message, but also hating the messenger:

"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake." (Luke 21:17)

"But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me." (John 15:21)

Satan, who is currently the god of this world, will do everything he can to prevent the name of Jesus from being invoked and the salvation message from being offered:

"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2 Corinthians 4:4)

So what must one do for one's heart to be receptive to the Gospel message? The bonds of a worldly wise man must be cast off, and one must approach the cross of Christ as a child:

"Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:4)

"At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes." (Matthew 11:25)

When we were young and needed comfort, reassurance or guidance, we would run to our father who would lift us into his strong arms and tell us everything was going to be alright. That's what we're supposed to do now. As adults, we must approach our Heavenly Father as children, totally trusting Him to save us through the shed blood of Jesus on the cross. All we have to do is repent of our sins and ask Him to save us.

That's why PBS ran a warning before that program. Most people don't want to hear the name of Jesus, especially from the lips of the President of the United States. It reminds them too much of why they need Jesus as their Savior. But, I've got news for those who don't believe: George Bush, my brother in Christ and I have a message for you:

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16)

Keith

05-21-2004