I wrote a blog not too long ago (Is Heaven for Real) about a boy that claims to have gone to heaven. Some time ago I saw that boy, Colton Burpo, and his family interviewed on Good Morning America. The book has been number one on the New York Times bestseller list. Obviously, the book has struck a chord with the American public. Obviously, many, many people are interested in the subject of heaven. I know I am. I want to go to heaven. I want my family to be in heaven. I want my brothers, and sister, and cousins, and friends to go to heaven. But it can be so confusing about how to get to heaven nowadays. There are conflicting messages that are spread with "cultural" Christianity that is taught in many of today's churches. And it appears to me that this "cultural' Christianity often conflicts with what the bible says.
"Cultural" Christianity tells us we can say a prayer and we are assured of going to heaven. That's it This current cultural teaching stands on the premise that we are saved by the grace of God, there is no way we can earn our way to heaven, so just sit back, enjoy life, and when the end comes, we will be in a better place.
And I understand why modern theology wants to promote this idea. I think it's because it's really hard to be a Christian today. We want to be hip and relevant in today's society. We don't want to be too different. It may cost us a promotion. It may cost us friendships. Simply put, it may cost us too much (This is a hard concept for people in northern Nigeria to understand that are gunned down by Muslims for professing their faith, but not Christians in America).
We want to watch our TV shows that celebrate having affairs and homosexuality. We want to have music on our ipods that legitimize abusing drugs and that worships women's bodies, and promotes having casual sex with anyone and everyone. We want our women to dress sensuously and leave very little to the imagination, we want to murder unwanted and inconvenient babies, and we want to have the freedom to divorce our spouses when times get tough or some "hottie" comes along and makes us feel good about ourselves. Then we go to church and ask God to bless us and help us to live our best lives. And let us share heaven with Him when we die.
Jesus taught that a good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree bears bad fruit. In other words, if we are doing something that doesn't fit what the bible teaches we are not living a pleasing life to God. Of course we are human and we will fail. But we need to be in a constant state of change. When we screw up, we need to confess, and let God direct us in His ways.
The bible says that the path to heaven is narrow and that people will someday say to to God, "Lord, we talked about you and we did all these things for you. Surely I can get into heaven". And God will say. " I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness". I don't know about you, but that verse terrifies me.
So, I challenge myself and you. Should we watch shows on TV that celebrate casual sex and homosexuality and reckless lifestyles? I believe God cringes at those shows. Or should we listen to music that celebrates drugs, and killing, and having sex with your mother? God is disgusted by those songs. Should women dress in clothes that leave little to the imagination? God despises women flaunting their bodies in public. Should we kill babies for our own convenience? God loves children and is angry when you murder them. Should we divorce our spouses because someone better came along? No, God does not approve of divorce and has provided very few exceptions for it.
Billy Graham has stated that he believes less than 5% of all of the people that have come forward at his crusades will actually go to heaven.
A very sobering thought indeed. And a very narrow road for sure.
2 comments:
Now that is a counter-cultural message that will tick people off. I applaud your stand.
For those of you that are angry with my blog today, I am OK with that. As always, I try to write blogs that apply to myself as well as to challenge others. I will provide a little insight as to why I wrote this blog:
1) If you think that I am being too harsh and judgmental, you should teach a youth group and see what their idea of Christianity is today. Ironically, the boys I taught were the worst kids in school. They were the punks. They got sent to the "bad boys" schools because they were so disruptive. Most were this way, due in part, to their understanding that they have a "free pass" to act how they want and still go to heaven.
2) I get sick of hearing pastors like Joel Osteen that refuse to use the "s" word in their sermons. Yep, that's right the sin word. As far as I'm concerned, all Joel Osteen needs is a pair of pom-poms and a short skirt.
3) This one is selfish. I often need to practice the things that I write about in my blogs. And writing them for me helps to ingrain them in my brain. It's just the way I am wired.
Jeff
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