What secures your faith? He’s not what, but Who. His name? Jesus Christ!
What anchors your hope? I pray you’re not falling for silly superstitions for our hope in God is anchored in the the Word.
George Barna, a researcher who studies Christianity in America, reports the following alarming “mega-trend” which creates deep concern in my mind. “What used to be basic, universally-known truths about Christianity are now unknown mysteries to a large and growing share of Americans--especially young adults. For instance, Barna Group studies in 2010 showed that while most people regard Easter as a religious holiday, only a minority of adults associate Easter with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Other examples include the finding that few adults believe that their faith is meant to be the focal point of their life or to be integrated into every aspect of their existence. Further, a growing majority believe the Holy Spirit is a symbol of God's presence or power, but not a living entity. As the two younger generations (Busters and Mosaics) ascend to numerical and positional supremacy in churches across the nation, the data suggest that biblical literacy is likely to decline significantly. The theological free-for-all that is encroaching in Protestant churches nationwide suggests the coming decade will be a time of unparalleled theological diversity and inconsistency.”
My own observation is that many “Christians” forsake the true Gospel of Jesus Christ for silly superstitions, angel stories, and bizarre worship practices. In a lifetime of pastoral ministry I watched as many fads have come and gone in the Church. I've seen many doctrinal aberrations that time has corrected, but nothing I have known compares to what is happening in evangelical and Pentecostal Christian churches now. Because many no longer trust the absolute sufficiency of the Scripture for life and godliness, all manner of dangerous practices and esoteric practices are creeping in.
Our doctrines are shaped by psychology as much as Scripture, by cultural influences more than the truth. Americans love their celebrities and trust a pretty face to advise them about money, sex, and politics! Tragically, the same is true in the Church. An athlete who comes to faith in Christ from a life full of dysfunction is put on the stage in front of thousands of teens within months of his conversion, held up as a role model before the water of his baptism has dried. Our theology is shaped by singers and bands that often have little in the way of sound theological training, but they ‘sound’ relevant, so let their songs teach us.
Even serious disciples are too often distracted by esoteric ideas about demons, angels, and psychic phenomena rather than solid daily application of Jesus’ Gospel to their business practices, financial decisions, and relationships.
Here's the wonderful Word of the powerful Gospel. "The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1:14-17, NIV)
Take time this Advent to go back to the Gospel. Read the Jesus story told in Matthew and Luke and let the wonderful Truth inspire you. God became a Man! God, the Creator, mysteriously and wondrously, moved by love entered this world and was born a baby, lived among us teaching us, died to save us from our sins, and rose again to declare His triumph over sin, death, and Hell. Hallelujah, what a Savior.
"I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
it is enough that Jesus died,
and that He died for me."
My heart is leaning on the Word,
the written Word of God.
Salvation by my Savior's name,
salvation through His blood."
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