When you ask someone what religion they are, or what religious organization they are affiliated with, many times the answer is, “I’m a Christian.” Today, you almost need clarification on what it means to be a Christian. The popular trend today is called, “mainstream Christianity.” But what does that mean? Is there a “lesser stream Christianity?”

The word “mainstream” is defined by Webster’s dictionary as, “a prevailing current or direction of activity or influence.” In other words, anything to do with the current thoughts and opinions of the majority. It’s whatever is popular in the culture or in mass media at the moment. It makes one wonder; would Jesus have called Himself a mainstream Christian.

If He were alive today, would He be more interested in a Christian rock band or singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs? Would He be interested in what the popular belief in the world is or would He take a stand for truth? Would He think it’s ok if you are a homosexual, living in sin, cussing, drinking, smoking, or going to places you shouldn’t be going, just as long as you love Christ?

The Jesus I read about in the New Testament would not have stood for any of these things 2000 years ago. And if He would not stand for anything like that then, what makes one think He would stand for them today? Yet too many churches and “Christians” are accepting these things today because society and mass media has deemed them OK. More and more people are becoming accepting of these things because they don’t want to hurt feelings, be called narrow minded or a bigot.

It is interesting that Jesus addressed this very issue during His ministry. “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matt 7:13-14). Sometimes there is the easy path because that’s what everyone else is doing, the mainstream way. But then there is God’s way, the path of life.

Try going against the current (mainstream) isn’t always the easiest way. But if Jesus stood for truth no matter what the consequences were, should we do less?