America is a nation of dieters. We eat low-cal, low-fat, and low-carb to avoid growing more than we want. Sadly, most also apply this approach to their religious faith. Today's majority doesn't want too great an intake of:
- Bible study
- Changes to, or transformation of, their behavior and thinking
- Demands on their time
- Emphasis on doctrine
Americans are not concerned about spiritual matters. We live in relative peace, enjoy unparalleled affluence, and have more freedom than any culture known in history. We're more interested in acquiring "stuff" and doing what it takes to pay for it than in looking at what God expects of us.
The politically correct tolerance doctrine insists that the "I'm OK; you're OK" concept is better than being governed by what God says is right and wrong. So, we've become a nation controlled by our feelings, rather than Scripture. Today's fastest growing churches are those that coddle skin-deep dedication. Come believing whatever you wish; live however you desire; and come enjoy the family life centers, gyms, daycare centers, and coffee and doughnuts. In these groups, whatever an individual "feels" is right is acceptable.
This isn't new, however. Even when Jesus was on earth, huge crowds followed Him after He miraculously fed 5,000. He could have packed the pews weekly. But Jesus saw that their motivation was wrong. "You seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled," He said. (John 6:26) He encouraged them to follow him for spiritual nourishment. When he gave it to them, the majority turned away.
If we read the Bible records of the teaching of John the Baptist, Jesus and the apostles, and early church teachers, we see demands and doctrinal diet far different from the "low calorie" pablum of non-offensive religious teaching most often heard today.
The gospel of Christ demands that we radically change our lives. It demands that we become servants, work in the kingdom, and be dedicated to worshipping and serving the Lord. The idea that we can serve God when it is convenient, use the Lord's Day as a day to sleep, and judge others as judgers when they tell us about our rebellion and disobedience is part of the lite religion that is spiritually starving millions.
God's word is sobering. Jesus said the majority of people will not spend eternity in heaven (Matthew 7:13-14). Just having religious feelings doesn't assure salvation. Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)
A majority of Americans believe that having good morals guarantees a home in heaven. Even less than a majority believes that hell exists. But friends, that's diet doctrine, or lite religion. A person who feeds on it will starve to death spiritually.
Sadly, many of our own brethren are also being caught up in the lite-religion concept. They want less Scripture in the sermons, less time spent at the Lord's Table, fewer songs sung, shorter prayers, and surely shorter sermons! Some even want FEWER services, doing away with Sunday evening service and midweek Bible study. How can a Christian truly believe that "less is better" when spiritual things are concerned? Other religions are not the only ones who are spiritually starving. (KMG)