Careless Christianity

As we enter the second decade of this new century, it is becoming clear to me that Evangelical Christianity is losing its moorings. Instead of being fully committed to the "the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 1:3), the church is drifting into uncharted and dangerous waters. If this trend continues unchecked, much of Evangelical Christianity as we know it will be mired in heresy and even apostasy.

If you go to your local Walmart, you will see all kinds of books selling Christianity as a "get rich scheme" and a panacea for every temporal woe. Their writers imply that: If you believe in Jesus you can have "your best life now". You can have money, health and happiness.

Paul said that these types of teachers would eventually come: "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths." (2 Timothy 4:3-4 ESV) He also said that people would become "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power." (2 Timothy 3:5 ESV)

Look no further than the USA in 2010 to see a stark fulfillment of his prophecy. Our materialism is out of control while we are, in many cases, spiritually and morally bankrupt. The cross is being replaced with the dollar sign. The church is quickly becoming a den of thieves rather than the house of worship.

As Christians, we need to be on guard. We should reject all forms of doctrinal error that attempt to transform the church into a cult of idolatry and self-worship. We must "destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ..." (2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV)

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ does not guarantee health, wealth and success. Quite the contrary: It guarantees a life filled with suffering and persecution for the Gospel's sake with eternal life as our reward. But, as Paul says in Romans 8:18 ESV: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."