When I go shopping for groceries, I am always on the lookout for the best deal. It is true that while one store may have better prices on their meat, another store may have better priced bread. Yes, I have driven twenty-five miles in order to save five cents a gallon on gas. In fact, I admit that I have gone to Sam’s and bought the value packs because of the better unit price. (Then all I have to do is figure out where to keep my twenty cans of shaving cream or one hundred rolls of toilet paper!)
This is a good practice when shopping for groceries, but it can be very dangerous when this approach is used in religious matters. Too many Christians ‘shop’ their religion around by taking the ‘good stuff’ and then try to leave behind what they see as ‘bad deals.’ Every one of us loves the positives of Christianity, such as having Christ as our Savior, the comfort of heaven and the doctrine of grace. However, many cringe at the other end of the deal, which includes the warning of hell, self-sacrifice and enduring persecution. The majority of Christians I know take a stand against the use of instrumental music in the worship service, but then not quite as many take a stand against the worldly influences of dirty television programs or fellowship with denominational influences.
Too often Christians defend their actions by saying, “My church says it’s wrong,” instead of saying, “I can’t do it because I’m a Christian.” (There is a difference!) Sadly many have heard, “I know the preacher says it’s wrong to drink, smoke, cuss or __________, but I’m going to do what I want.” This attitude is foreign to the doctrine of Jesus Christ. God’s Son said, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow after me” (Luke 9:23). Don’t fall for Satan’s trap of having a ‘Market Place Religion,’ instead of following the pure will of the Father.
