Let no one deceive you with empty words... (Ephesians 5:6a)
From diet, to entertainment, to music, to marriage the world has painted some striking pictures. While media streams forth promises of "the best", "the biggest" and the "real thing" through our lives by TV, billboard and magazine adds we never stop to wonder where the deception stops. Restaurants make impossibly delicious foods, in obscenely large portions and load them down with fat, salt and sugar promising an experience that regular old meat and potatoes simply couldn't provide. Movies offer a view of love, life and marriage that is no where near to reality, and when people stop feeling what the movies promise should always be there, they want out.
Sadly, this is no less prevalent in the modern church. Supped up, hyper-marketed church programs promise results that regular old fellowship, prayer and Bible teaching simply can't provide. Just like that hamburger advertisement, they promise the world and just leave us fat. These programs are like a "12 hour energy drink" being marketed to the people who are rather to be flowing with Living Water! (John 4:10) Perhaps the worst part of this programmatic thinking is that it doesn't add to what we need, it seeks to supplant it. Just as the hamburger advertisement seeks to tell you that the greasy hamburger is far more satisfying than a healthy normal dinner that you could make for yourself, so these super programs promise better results than "the old way."
What was the old way? It was awfully simply, far too simple to market and put a "christian famous" face on and sell for $15.99 at Borders. Beholding the Lord Jesus Christ through His Word. It meant spending time with other believers, looking at Jesus together. It involved knowing each other, befriending each other and walking alongside each other. Spurring one another on towards love and good deeds. It was day-by-day, one foot in front of the other, growth. Like a good solid oak tree, not like an instant breakfast. It meant praying together, sometimes disagreeing and learning how to forgive and love one another through difficulty and disagreement. It is the privilege of being involved in each other's lives, sharing the Good News freely, and growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. God does extraordinary things through the most ordinary means.
Oh, AMEN to this Brad!
ReplyDelete"...the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ." ~ 2 Cor 11:3.
Another inspiring and thought-provoking post. Thank you so much.
~Tina
Thank you, Tina. You are such an encouragement!
ReplyDeleteYes, a very true post. We are currently wondering what the next step is for us, as we have had enough of the sort of "fast food" christianity you describe. Thank you for helping us to sort out our thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jayne. I do hope He brings you to such a local body. I was slow to write this article because I don't want to sound overly critical. But in the end I hope more people turn to Jesus, and behold Him, leaving the rest behind.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Brad. We long for the simple, the real stuff. You're so smart.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that there is also another trend happening in our culture.... the "back to basics." Popular magazines like Real Simple and books echo self reliance and repurposing old things into new. It's nothing *new.* I think it's good, but it has its gimmickry too. Jesus is the Real Thing!
ReplyDeleteJody
Jody, that is simply so well put! Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDelete~brad