The bumper sticker read, "Try Jesus." The sticker was on the back of a minivan, a Grand Voyager to be specific. Looking at that bumper sticker got me thinking about just that, trying Jesus.
When I was a kid, Pepsico started the Pepsi Challenge. Booths would be set up all over America and people would be allowed to choose their favorite beverage, Coke or Pepsi. The twist was people were blindfolded while sipping their Pepsi and Coke samples. I guess Pepsico thought if people were blindfolded they would use their taste buds and realize how much better Pepsi was than Coke. I choose Coke, unfortunately for Pepsi so did 200 million other Americans because Coke is the superior beverage. The point is the people could try Coke and Pepsi and decide which one they preferred. In America today we have the unparalleled ability to choose anything. Need a fridge? Go to an appliance warehouse. Need a car? Choose from dozens of makes and models at the nearest local dealership. Want a Coke? Choose from 8 different kinds. We can choose anything based on our preferences. The problem is out preferences are always changing daily. One day I want cool ranch Doritos. The next day I may want nacho cheese Doritos. This attitude makes the slogan, "Try Jesus" a very dangerous one.
See faith is supposed to be something that affects the way we live. I heard someone say, If what we believe doesn’t change who we are and what we do, then what good is it what we believe?" It is something that requires our attention and our energy. One cannot just try Jesus. There is no Jesus taste test challenge. He isn’t a free sample at Costco or Wegmans. We who name ourselves his followers have done us and the world a disservice. We say that if one just tries Jesus then they will gain immediate, eternal, sunshiney, feel good happiness. All your problems will just go away. Unfortunately this isn’t true and we are guilty of peddling this instead of teaching people how to be his disciples.
Jesus is not Prozac. He is not a drug we take when we are depressed to make us feel better. He came to reconcile fallen humanity to God, not reduce his life to bite sized sermon bits. He came to teach us a revolutionary way of life. He taught us that the kingdom of God is present here and now, and that if we believe in him we can be a part of this kingdom. Not only can we live in his kingdom but we can share it with others. Jesus never said, " Try me." He didn’t say to dabble in his teachings and pull out ones that will make a nice secular philosophy. He said things like, "The kingdom of God is within you." and "Take up your cross and follow me." That means work. That means putting forth an effort. That means we are to be devoted to his teachings, follow them, and show others how to do the same. That means a lifetime of practice and discipleship.
Presently we have relationships without commitment, intimacy without love, and a faith devoid of power to change our world if we continue to take the life and teachings of how to be his disciple and advance the kingdom of God into snack portioned, sugar coated pills which read, "Try Jesus." He died to show us the way to God, he lives to help us get there. We need to take it a bit more seriously.
"Presently we have relationships without commitment, intimacy without love, and a faith devoid of power to change our world if we continue to take the life and teachings of how to be his disciple and advance the kingdom of God into snack portioned, sugar coated pills which read, 'Try Jesus.'" This is at the base of a lot of the dissatisfaction people are having with religion, church, or God in general. We can blame anything we want, that doesn't mean the thing we blame is guilty. WE are the ones guilty if our faith is not real to us. We are the ones misguided in our approach to God. Now, the bigger question is...How to fix the problem.
ReplyDeleteThe message is perfect but like Paul writes we are just vessels of clay. Imagine vessels of clay holding in the glory of God.. I dont know how to fix it but I can hazard a guess. I think that there needs to be a return to a less self centered gospel. Stop emphasizing what can God do for us and center it on what we can do for him. And hold people accountable to do things for him.
ReplyDeleteConsummerism is at the core of the problem with the American Church. We have taken the Gospel, and turned it from a message into a brand. The Cross is no longer a reminder of the severe punishment Christ endured for my sins, but rather a logo for a religion.
ReplyDeleteSo rather than simply talk about the problem, how do we fix it? How do we move past the me mindset, into a "for the world" mindset. I think the key, is in creating authentic communities of believers who live for more than themselves?
Right doctrine and right teaching. Fix the consumerism mentality and then we can move on from there
ReplyDelete